Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyliner
This incident is the result of DISH Network's failure to acknowledge the value of major networks (ABC/CBS/NBC) and the large volume of viewers who watch their extensive lineup of programming, not to mention the significant number of viewers who watch locally produced programs (local news/weather/sports, etc.) and numerous nationally syndicated programs (Dr. Phil/Judge Judy/Ellen/Dr. Oz, etc.). DISH is unwilling to pay fair, market-based rates for a significant service, yet they have been willing to put money into large propaganda trucks driven around the markets of Media General's stations. You may remember Media General agreed to a three-month contract extension with DISH at the end of June, hoping an agreement would be reached before October. Notice similar disputes have not recently involved any other cable/satellite provider.
If you want to see the NFL on CBS this weekend (New England vs. Cincinnati and Denver vs. Dallas), just plug in an antenna or find another provider that appropriately values your business.
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I disagree. I place the blame on CBS. Dish has consistently been lower priced than any competitor for the channels I want to watch (for the times when we did actually pay for dish/cable) and out of DirectTV and Charter in the area has been the best customer service-wise. CBS was upset about not getting paid enough for someone to rebroadcast something CBS already offers for free over the air. If I really wanted to watch CBS, I can get it for free with an antenna and if I want it on-demand there are relatively cheap ($~20 a month) after-market DVR options (without a cable or satellite subscription) and some even cheaper DVR-like options for the tech savvy. For the times we do carry cable or satellite, we are certainly not doing it for the network channels.
Additionally if I want to watch major network shows on-demand (one thing that people who don't like the antenna idea usually bring up is that you have to watch them when they air) and don't want to mess with a 3rd party DVR, I could also subscribe to Hulu plus for $9.99 a month which is often equal to or less than you pay a cable or satellite provider for them to syndicate the same major network channels and that is before you possibly pay for a DVR service. Oh wait...except CBS is the ONLY major network who doesn't play nice with Hulu and wants to force you to use their terrible browser-streaming service because they can't wring enough money out of Hulu.
In short: CBS was the problem in this scenario. As a customer, I already have easy access to their programming through multiple free or cheap avenues if I really wanted to watch. Trying to eek a few extra pennies out of Dish to re-broadcast their network doesn't get any sympathy from me. If their programming demanded a premium price, they would get it. Too bad CBS has hardly anything worth DVRing.
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