1, 2, 3 4 I Declare a Channel War. 5, 6, 7, 8 Try to Keep Your Prices Straight
In a battle between cable and satellite companies, it is not looking good for consumers. Instead of patent battles, it’s content battles.
Viacom apparently has barked up the wrong tree when it comes to price negotiation, demonstrated by DirecTV. According to Examiner, Viacom wanted a 30% increase or “$1 billion” more. That’s a huge chunk of “more.”
Evidently, however, DirecTV is by no means a casual player. Snipping off Viacom’s content is their way to negotiate.
DISH has shut off AMC’s content on the other side.
Keep in mind, these two are competitors – Will they be getting anywhere?
This is a great time for start-up players to the TV industry to jump in – Getting a start on a nearly dead industry to revive it with fresh teams.
Better yet, Netflix and Hulu have a great lead-way to step and take the slack? There’s nothing stopping any of these companies from working out a new deal, aside from the “old traditional one.” It’s not like DirecTV is happy with these companies anyway–as they’re teaming up with other companies to side-step the tube. Se, putting content on the Xbox.
But really, this hurts the consumer. In all ways. Get it together!
http://www.examiner.com/article/directv-dispute-causes-blackout-of-popular-channels
