Usually, at least in my experience with Time Warner, these things get worked out before the deadline cause subscribers will bomb the provider with calls so that the higher ups making the deal feel the heat. It’s important to note that Fox broadcast stations and Fox News Channel are not involved in the negotiations so NFL on Fox and UFC on Fox are not in trouble.
In other DirecTV news I just learned/googled that G4 will be dropped by DirecTV on 11-1-11. Yup, that means no more Sara Underwood on mute for you folks with DirecTV.
DirecTV has informed Fox that they will drop all of its channels on 11/1 unless the sides reach an agreement on a contract dispute according to a story in the Hollywood Reporter.
Fox released the information late Thursday saying they have offered an extension to the carrier while negotiations between the sides continue.
“They have given us no chance to respond before taking an unnecessarily aggressive posture and going public,” said Fox network officials in a released statement. “It is disappointing that they have chosen bad faith tactics over meaningful negotiations.”
Fox claimed they were willing to keep the same prices as in the most recent deal, which expired on 9/30. DirecTV has kept Fox programming on for the past three weeks under the terms of the expired deal.
It will not affect carriage of the Fox network itself.
DirecTV claims Fox has asked for a 40% increase in fees to carry the stations which include Fox Business Channel, FX, Fox Sports Net Stations, Fox Movie Channel, Speed, Fuel TV Fox Soccer, Fox Deportes and the National Geographic Channel.
Historically, these negotiations usually don’t result in losses of stations for very long.
Get Some More Bang on that Biscuit: