Fox Cable Networks May Go Dark On DirecTV On Nov. 1 Over Carriage Dispute
Another major carriage dispute threatens to pull Fox’s cable networks from DirecTV systems on November 1. The affected networks include FX (including its hit Sons Of Anarchy and hot newcomer American Horror Story), National Geographic Channel, Speed, Fuel TV, Fox Soccer, Fox Movie Channel, Fox Deportes, and the 19 Fox regional sports networks. Fox Networks’ previous carriage agreement with DirecTV expired on September 30. After extending the talks, no progress was made, leading to a standoff between the two sides that may lead to the blackout. Exactly a year ago, the same networks went dark on DirecTV’s rival satcaster Dish Network before the two sides finally reached a new agreement. Like in previous carriage fights, both sides released dueling statements and launched competing websites — KeepMyNets.com (Fox) and OurPromiseToYou.com (DirecTV). In its statement, DirecTV claims that Fox is seeking a 40% license-fee increase. Here are the two statements:
FOX NETWORKS: Despite Fox Networks’ offer of an extension during our ongoing negotiations, DirecTV has informed us and their customers that unless we agree to their demands, they “will suspend our networks on November 1.”
DirecTV sent us a proposal on Tuesday afternoon. They have given us no chance to respond before taking an unnecessarily aggressive posture and going public. It is disappointing that they have chosen bad faith tactics over meaningful negotiation.
We have proposed to keep the Fox Networks on DirecTV for the same price, and on the same terms as they are currently carried while we attempt to work out a fair agreement. Unfortunately, DirecTV has decided that unless they get their way, they are going to pull the plug on their customers November 1.
DIRECTV CEO MIKE WHITE: DirecTV’s agreement with News Corp./Fox for some of their national cable networks and regional Fox Sports networks has expired.
News Corp. has demanded that DirecTV customers pay nearly 40% more for the same channels they already receive. If a new deal is not reached, we will be forced to suspend the channels as early as Nov.1.
how could this happen to 2 companies owned by newscorp? strange times
i can totally live without them… lower my bill
FOX NEWS would be no loss if it went dark.
But without Gretchen Carlson where would you get your daily dose of “Doh” ?
There is some kind of major manipulation of customers going on — all in the service of boosting prices on customers’ backs — because NewsCorp owns both DirecTV and FX!!!!
WTF?
As many others have mentioned elsewhere: wish they’d get rid of Faux News & all its Faux News channels — those I could definitely live without.
Anyway, this is bullpucky of the highest order — all to enrich the pockets of not-American-born tabloid king, Rupert Murdoch.
I second what Steven said i have been with Direct-Tv over 10 years and called them for the Velocity channel they told me it would be free in Augwhen annoucement was made. when i called to request the channel they told me it would be an additional 10.00 I said you told me there would be no problem and would be added to my package.I told them i was “pissed” and fed up with crap i paid for that i don”t watch like 9 channels of the Disney channel 6 channels of the Nick channel and the cartoon network.They told me they were sorry and did’nt want to lose me as a customer and offered me 3 months of Showtime to keep me I said no and told them the clock is ticking on them and will calling them for cancellation of my service!
Fix this NOW, Directv…I will not hesitate to dump your ass as my carrier if I lose SOA, Sunny in Philadelphia, American Horror, etc! And I’ll encourage everyone that I know with Directv to do the same.
Im with you , they pull FX there goes SOA and there goes ME
I agree with you if they have my SOA go dark for the last 4 episodes I will pull my contract and I know most of my family will as well. Is it really worth the risk?
I emailed Directv yesterday about this and of course, they’re the ‘victim’ in all of this. They’re saying FOX wants to raise the cost of the FX channel 40%-so what does that 40% increase come to? What if it’s an extra $5 a month to keep FX? I would HAPPILY pay that to keep FX. How about letting your customers in on this, Directv? Things are quickly heating up over on Facebook about this…you stand to lose MANY customers if this isn’t figured out by 10/31 and I WILL be one of those customers.
I have been with direct tv for 6 years and I don’t to have to go to Dish please keep speed,fx,natgeo and the others. in this economy they should be glad that we still want these channels.
thats what im saying, i would pay to keep fx my all time fav show is on it soa. there are so many soa fans, and direct tv will be losing alot of buisness
I, however, do not watch SOA… I’d be highly pissed if my bill was increased just because YOU were willing to pay an extra price. If I was DTV, I would stand up for what I wanted, too. By using a scaring tactic (forcing FX to choose by Nov. 1st)DTV is hoping that FX will agree to keep the current contract price. Of course, FX will not want to lose however many subscribers DTV has. If they don’t agree by Nov 1st, they will by Nov. 2. All of you loons that want to pay extra money just to watch SOA or sports, go read a book or go buy the seasons at walmart. It’s just entertainment. Maybe the show is good… not good enough that I’ll pay an extra $5-10 for.
I will be very po’d if they make me miss my soa its bad enough we had to wait those several months while it was on break, and now that its back, we might lose it. Direct tv will be slitting its own throat if they allow this to happen they will lose so much buisness.
I agree with Anna, if they have my SOA go dark for the last 4 episodes I will pull my contract and I too have family members and lots of friends who will do the same. The same goes for speed, espn, any sports channels, etc., which my husband enjoys. Is it worth the risk DTV to watch your bottom line, bottom out?
If they pull FX, I pull my DTV acct. Don’t play games. I pay enough each month that I shouldn’t have to deal with this.
Can’t wait to drop DirecTV. Just a few more months and I can say good bye. Big mistake when I decided to give them a try. Eight months to go.
I worked for DISH Network last year when we went through this basically same negotiation, it took a while to get sorted out. A couple months if I remember correctly. I feel bad for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia fans with DirecTV because it looks like this is going to be an amazing season. Not to mention all the other great programming FX has going on, and who knows how this is going to affect their football. Makes me glad DISH secured a long-term contract.
this has to get fixed. i pay alot for direct tv and must have fx channel for sons of anarchy!!!
Yay! No more GLEE or any other horrendous shows from this awful network. Hope they dispute and never carry FOX period.
Thus doesn’t affect the network’s owned and operated stations or the affiliates – juat the cable nets.
FOX channels aren’t going anywhere…just FX. And you do realize there is a nifty feature on your remote control where you can CHANGE THE CHANNEL if something is on TV that you don’t like???
You don’t watch them then fine. Why must everybody else suffer. I dropped DirecTV for cable because of this kind of greed.