tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13975530.post1696392350046376765..comments2023-09-22T13:45:50.991-04:00Comments on Ohio Media Watch: More STO, And DirecTVOhio Media Watchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07003503894299610300noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13975530.post-13926370764938711782007-03-22T11:12:00.000-04:002007-03-22T11:12:00.000-04:00It's a money thing. DirecTV has taken a hard lin...It's a money thing. DirecTV has taken a hard line with local Sports channels in terms of fees.<BR/><BR/>They are willing to add the Indians to a Sports Package but from what I've read the Indians want their channel to be part of the basic package for all customers. Problem is that last year the STO package wasn't a 24/7 channel so DirecTV felt the Indians wanted to much money to add the channel to the basic lineup.<BR/><BR/>If STO generates serious ratings on Dish and Cable and/or DirecTV is able to verify the loss of enough subs because of their stance you can bet; they'll be back at the table.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, STO needs the viewers for their advertisers. I can't imagine the car dealerships,etc that advertise on STO aren't happy the channel isn't in more homes and I'm sure they're pressuring STO to make a deal with DirecTV.<BR/><BR/>in truth this is good for DirecTV customers because the goal is to add the channel without having to raise monthly rates.<BR/><BR/>If every cable network got DirecTV, Dish, TimeWarner, etc to pay their asking price -- we'd all be paying even more for our monthly service.<BR/><BR/>This is the biggest reason the FCC is pushing for the Cable and Sat companies to offer ala carte.<BR/><BR/>The cable networks don't want Ala Carte because currently they force the Satellite and Cable companies to buy their channels in groups.<BR/><BR/>Example. If you want ESPN you also have to buy ESPN2, ESPN News, ESPN Classic, ESPN College.<BR/><BR/>Or if you want MTV you also have to buy Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Noggin, VH-1, VH-1 Classic, MT2, TVland, etc.<BR/><BR/>This is why we have so many channels and why are bills have gotten so high.<BR/><BR/>Do we really need the Biography Channel? You're paying for it whether you want it or not.<BR/><BR/>How about Sleuth or Lifetime Woman Real Stories, etc?<BR/><BR/>The cable networks add these channels that are very niche and then force the service providers to add it to the lineup with the added fee.<BR/><BR/>Dish, DirecTV, and TimeWarner are starting to play tough. Dish recently took CourtTV off their service based on new higher fees.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03226941251548936029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13975530.post-11116103592404233182007-03-22T08:56:00.000-04:002007-03-22T08:56:00.000-04:00Is DirecTV guilty of cutting off its subscribers t...Is DirecTV guilty of cutting off its subscribers to spite the Indians? Would it be better business to give the customers what they want?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com