DirecTV dropping Speed network on November 1st

Anyone heard about this?

Apparently News Corp which owns Fox and the Fox channels is in a dispute with DirecTV. DirecTV is dropping the Fox channels (Fox sports, Speed, National Geo and others) on November 1st if they don't reach a new agreement.

It appears they are at an impasse. Fox wants a 40% price hike implemented in the form of DirecTV collecting $1 per household per channel (AFAIK) on Fox's behalf. DirecTV says no way, and if they did that for every network, prices would be massively higher. Fox says that's the deal they gave to others and that's what they want.


It is very likely not simply a negotiating ploy - if anyone remembers Versus channel, a similar dispute happened and Versus was off DirecTV for 6 months before a deal was hashed out.

Fox says they offered to allow DTV to continue broadcasting during negotiations, and DirecTV says no, take the deal or leave it.


If it is not worked out, starting November 1st, there will be no more SpeedTV for DirecTV customers, which obviously means no F1.

 

I've been seeing the commercials to that effect. I expect they'll come to an agreement. If they don't I'll drop DirecTv like a bad habit and go with, probably, Uverse.

NatGeo is also in play, but AFAIK it isn't owned by Fox.

 

Oh dear, where will we get our nascar news????? (sic)

 

I don't watch it on Speed any longer anyway. The high def viewing is nice but the commentary ruins it.

 

What other source is the best alternative to watch the races for us in the US? We gotta have SOMETHING to substitue if they can't reach an agreement!

 

There's generally a stream available from "somewhere" - Links quite often get posted in the race thread.

I've been meaning to set up a proxy in the UK that will allow me to get the BBC player and thence watch their broadcasts. But I've been lazy. *If* this happens I'll certainly get on it. In fact, it may be the kick up the arse I need to ditch DTV completely and switch to Comcast - "New" customers get all kinds of nice deals, as a long time, loyal subscriber I get screwed.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Get your hands on BBC coverage

1. Get your local techie friend/neighbor kid to show you how to download an "xvid" or "divx" copy of the race 3-4 hours after it airs live.

2. Copy the downloaded file to a standard USB stick.

3. Insert USB stick into your kids Playstation 3, Xbox 360, or potentially your bluray/dvd player or higher end tv. All three of these players will play these files directly off the thumb stick with no extra work. Simply plug it in, go to your players "media" section and hit play.

4. Watch the race commercial free (funny how taxes work in your favour sometimes) and with the best damn commentary team out there right now (Martin Brundle, David Coulthard, Eddie Jordan, and some other tolerable but entertaining in his idiocy host)

5. PROFIT!!!!

Seriously...it might take a little work to learn how if you're computer illiterate (no offence meant) but it really is stupid easy once you know how and I PROMISE it's the best way to watch the races. Oh and did I mention you can start watching at a civilized hour even?

 

Just so we get this right, the News Corp stations which are
owned by Murdoch are negotiatng for rate hikes with
Direct TV, the majorty of which is owned by News Corp/Murdoch?

Jeez, wonder who will win. It really hacks me off.

BHW

 

Liberty Media bought out News Corp's interest in DTV in 2008 I believe.

 

This will go on until there's cafeteria style access to channels. Unfortunately that will probably result in increased cost....the popular and HD channels will be more expensive than the unpopular and standard def channels.

 

I know I am pissed especially this close to the end of the F1 season. I started this thread yesterday: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=342145

 

If this happens I'm jumping ship. Either Comcast or Uverse.

 

I remember. It was about the time that Versus announced getting NHL coverage, and DTV was promoting their NHL pay service.

They also took most of the information out of their online guide ... and promote selling you a paper guide.

DTV has gone seriously downhill since the last time they were sold.

I also remember that, while Versus was off DTV because of "outrageous rates", my DTV bill didn't come down at all.

... Until I dropped DTV and got HD/DVR service from Dish for what I was paying for SD service from DTV.
And a number of movie channels I never got with DTV.

Yes, Dish has its issues too. But the only race the DVR missed this year was Spa.
Not because of any programming dispute, but because of hurricane Irene.
Not even because of signal issues --- I had satellite reception during the hurricane .... right up until my electric went out.
(I have a backup generator now. )

But I'd like to find an input amp that works with Dish. (I have a long feed cable, so I do have drop-outs during bad weather. Surprisingly, I lose the local digital broadcast channels too.)

 

Try this for a way to watch F1 from virtually anywhere:


http://www.strongvpn.com/

 

I fired Comcast about 12 years ago and swore I'd never go back. DTV gave better service when it was owned by News Corp, IMO. I had Dish and gave up on them, too. I guess Uverse is my only real choice if I fire DTV. At least I can get a decent bundled deal from ATT.

 

Tag for later.
The only reason I subscribed to Dish, then Direct was to get the SCCA runoffs (gone) and F1.
If they kill F1 I get to save $100 per month.
Bo Hoo.

 

Bye bye, DirecTV.

 

This. You won't regret it.

 

Apparently, only you were listening. May be the best $55 you will spend that lasts an entire year.

 

Werd...someone posted here about StrongVPN a year ago. 2nd year and no complaints...especially since I've now hooked the computer to the big screen.

 

Educate me, what is the benefit of this?

 

Strong VPN sets you up with a Virtual Private Network. You log in, (in my case Yahoo, UK)...go to the bbc Iplayer and can watch FP 1,2, qual and the race. They are kept there for a week. No commercials, commentary is HEAD and SHOULDERS above Speed. They have better driver access and produce much better packages. You can also get Top Gear before it airs in the states as well as some other BBC programming. Money well spent.
Here's the tutorial:

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=277071&highlight=vpn

 

The VPN route sounds promising but I'd rather spend less a month than more. I think I can get Uverse phone, internet, and tv bundled for under $100 a month. Time to comparison shop.

 

ummm...that's $55 a YEAR...less than 5 bux a month.

 

Thanks for the info. I may do this regardless.

ComCast sucks beyond all measure. As my 5 y/o would say,... they suck triple infinity x 1 million.