The Avenger Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 Once again I've lost channels on my TV because the network owner (in this case, Viacom) and the carrier (DirecTv) are in a pissing match about rates. It's not unique to DirecTv, but I sure do hate being a consumer stuck in the middle. Earlier this year DTV got into a fight with the company that owned the NBC and UPN affiliates in Boston and I was without those 2 networks for more than a week - my wife was not pleased because it impacted a bunch of her shows. This new Viacom issue will have the kids upset as they'll lose Nickelodeon and I'll miss out on Comedy Central. When we lose channels my wife always starts complaining that we should ditch DTV despite the fact that we are under contract and its still the only place to get Sunday Ticket. I don't know who's wrong and who's right in the current dispute - I'm guessing both sides are cuplable. What I hate as a consumer is being a pawn in all of this when the two sides can't hammer out a deal in time to avoid this situation. It's not like suddenly both sides looked at the calendar and said, 'wow - looks like our deal expires tomorrow - better start working on a new contract' - they have time to work out a new deal but instead get into a pissing match that impacts us as customers. Considering what we all pay in satellite/cable rates I feel like we are owed a better effort by both sides to keep their fights from impacting us as consumers. I have enough stress in my life without having to come home at the end of the day to a wife and kids upset that they can't watch the shows they want, and for this I pay over $100 a month? Anybody else upset with this situation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JÂy RÛßeÒ Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 My 11-yr-old daughter is not happy, that's for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmjoyce113 Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 My 11-yr-old daughter is not happy, that's for sure. Yea my daughter is pretty upset as well and she's 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JÂy RÛßeÒ Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 Fortunately for them they have a DVR full of ICarly, Victorious, Drake & Josh, and other drivel that they can enjoy for a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Poojer Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 Bite your tongue!!!! Fortunately for them they have a DVR full of ICarly, Victorious, Drake & Josh, and other drivel that they can enjoy for a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CosmicBills Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 Fortunately for them they have a DVR full of ICarly, Victorious, Drake & Josh, and other drivel that they can enjoy for a while. (COUGH) Motorcity (COUGH) Disney XD. (COUGH) Thursdays at 8:30. /shamelessplug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dante Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 (edited) So Comedy Central is actually gone now? I'm at work so I can't turn on the TV and check but going to "The Guide" at DTV's website and channel 249 now says "Important News About Comedy Central". Yesterday the scroll said it was unlikely that we would lose channels. Edited July 12, 2012 by Dante Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JÂy RÛßeÒ Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 Now in place of the Nickelodeon channels they have a "Kid's Mix" channel showing other kid-friendly networks (Disney, Cartoon Network, etc) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 got to www.directvpromise.com for their side of the story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Avenger Posted July 12, 2012 Author Share Posted July 12, 2012 Wow - now Viacom has pulled free episodes of a bunch of their shows from the Web and they had posted (but seem to have taken down) a picture of Spongebob with the caption "Who lives in a pinneapple under the sea? You don't know because you have DirecTv". They are also claiming DTV "dropped" the channels, which they did SO THEY DIDN'T GET SUED BY VIACOM..... I'm not a fan of either company right now for allowing this to happen and making us suffer through their pissing contest, but this is really infantile behavior for a major corporation on the part of Viacom - they really seem insensitive to their viewers.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JÂy RÛßeÒ Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 Wow - now Viacom has pulled free episodes of a bunch of their shows from the Web and they had posted (but seem to have taken down) a picture of Spongebob with the caption "Who lives in a pinneapple under the sea? You don't know because you have DirecTv". They are also claiming DTV "dropped" the channels, which they did SO THEY DIDN'T GET SUED BY VIACOM..... I'm not a fan of either company right now for allowing this to happen and making us suffer through their pissing contest, but this is really infantile behavior for a major corporation on the part of Viacom - they really seem insensitive to their viewers.... I hope their advertisers start pulling out because their ads are not being seen by as many people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 I love DirecTV and tend to side with them. But this is complete BS and we lose out. Is there a way to get money back since we aren't getting channels we are paying for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMadCap Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 I love DirecTV and tend to side with them. But this is complete BS and we lose out. Is there a way to get money back since we aren't getting channels we are paying for? Bisc, I believe DTV is giving free channels out (encore?) but am not sure. That is just hearsay... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 Bisc, I believe DTV is giving free channels out (encore?) but am not sure. That is just hearsay... Yeah, they're giving away Encore until the end of the month as compensation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhg Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 If it wasnt for sports, I would ditch the cable (in my case TW) and just stream what I want to watch. Its not just DTV, but all ofthem end up in a dispute and you lose channels or your rates go up or both. You only have a couple choices and they have the consumer by the family jewels and they know it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JÂy RÛßeÒ Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 The blackout is over. From DirecTV's Facebook page: The Viacom channels back on DIRECTV. Thanks to your patience and support, today we entered into a new long-term agreement with Viacom to immediately return all the channels you had previously enjoyed. The channels are already back! Plus as a result of our new deal you will soon enjoy the freedom to see all your favorite Viacom shows on tablets, handhelds, laptops and other media devices through our DIRECTV Everywhere platform. Although Viacom had regrettably tried to deny you access to drive a more expensive deal, our focus was always about giving you the absolute best experience at the most reasonable cost. We will have full details of the agreement online, but it includes long-term rights to provide Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, BET, Spike, CMT, TV Land and several others so Viacom cannot try to deny you access anytime again soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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