DIRECTV wants it's MTV

[kenwood101]

Viacom I guess is not playing nice with Directv, Directv posted this on FACEBOOK....

DIRECTV has absolutely no intention of removing your favorite Viacom networks like Nickelodeon, Comedy Central or MTV. But, unfortunately, Viacom executives sent a letter to us today, forcing us to take these channels down by midnight tomorrow if we don’t come to an agreement.

We asked Viacom to allow us to keep the channels up while we continue to negotiate but they refused. They are using this tactic to try and leverage over a 30% increase (that’s an additional one billion dollars) from our customers. We’re working diligently on a new agreement to keep making these channels available at a fair price to our customers.

But in the meantime, ask Viacom to do the right thing and give DIRECTV the permission to keep these channels on while we continue to negotiate. We will also ask Viacom to keep making these networks available during any of our private business discussions.

I say "WHO CARES!"

[ShawnHill1]

I just saw this tonight on my program guide; this situation happened quick and abruptly.  Usually these programming disputes are given notice publicly days, if not weeks, in advance.

These programming disputes are getting real tiring, and I just read elsewhere today that Hearst TV and Time Warner Cable/Bright House are in a dispute that can affect several markets such as Milwaukee, Kansas City, Orlando, Honolulu, and others.

[gregg75]

Let Viacom keep their channels and take $5 off my bill please!

[DToTheJ]

Oh, what would I do without my ad-bloated, runtime-damning sitcom fix on TV Land! 

[FreddyE1977]

Oh, what would I do without my ad-bloated, runtime-damning sitcom fix on TV Land! 

Vivian Vance talking like a chipmunk.  Doris Roberts on speed.

[Apollo7979]

The only Viacom networks that haven't been completely homogenized into a general entertainment network are BET, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., and Teen Nick.  One can argue though that even these networks have gone way down hill compared to what they once were.

MTV, VH1, VH1 Classic, CMT, Logo, Spike, and TV Land are a complete waste of time (and brain cells).  Neither myself nor my kids will miss these networks if they disappear tomorrow night.

[radiojomo]

DIRECTV is surprisingly been very open with their customers about this specific carriage dispute, giving many details that most cable/satellite providers do not provide with their carriage disputes.

I think it's a bold move for DIRECTV to encourage viewers to their "competitors" and watch Viacom shows on the internet, Netflix, Hulu and Apple TV.

Check out their website:
www.directvpromise.com

[ajc_trw]

DIRECTV is surprisingly been very open with their customers about this specific carriage dispute, giving many details that most cable/satellite providers do not provide with their carriage disputes.

I think it's a bold move for DIRECTV to encourage viewers to their "competitors" and watch Viacom shows on the internet, Netflix, Hulu and Apple TV.

Check out their website:
www.directvpromise.com

But the only way to get these "competitors" is with high-speed broadband from the competitor they don't want you to turn to, cable TV (including Verizon & AT&T). Or am I missing an option? 

[robmadden1]

All the channels are off DirecTV now and I hate this because I love to watch Nick and VH1 Classic.

[radiojomo]

But the only way to get these "competitors" is with high-speed broadband from the competitor they don't want you to turn to, cable TV (including Verizon & AT&T). Or am I missing an option? 

Very true! In the process of getting a high speed connection, the bundling deals they have with their cable/IPTV offerings are very sweet.
I bundled DIRECTV through AT&T my with U-Verse high speed internet because they have a deal setup. But in the process of signing up for more services with AT&T, I have been tempted to try out U-Verse because it would be $30 less than what I'm paying with DIRECTV.