Sounds like speculation on the lady's part. I doubt they update their customer service reps on the status of on going negotiations if they are unwilling to make any comments to the media about what is going on. Besides her statement is contradictory to the way CSN works in other cities where they have made deals with other providers, and it makes no sense that they would be telling you to go tell your provider that you want CSN if they weren't even willing to offer it. If that was their goal they would be advertising to switch to Comcast, the exclusive provider for the Rockets, not telling you to petition your provider to add it. In the end it's a business and both CSN, the Rockets, and the providers have to do what they think is best and all sides are motivated by money, but it sounds like that customer service rep was just trying to blame the other side to get an angry customer off her back.
Excerpt from online chat with Suddenlink customer service from five minutes ago... Mary Jane G.: Is Sportsnet the name of the network channel? Xxxx: Comcast SportsNet Houston Mary Jane G.: I'm not finding that channel on our lineup. I apologize. Xxxx: I know it's not there, it's a new channel, that I hope you pick up Mary Jane G.: I can submit a channel request, but I can not guarantee it will be added. If you know of any others in your area that would like that channel, please have them contact us as well. Xxxx: My guess is that there have been a lot of requests for this channel in Texas. It is the only way to watch the Houston Rockets basketball team. Xxxx: I was hoping that there may be news on the status of negotiations to bring the channel here locally. Mary Jane G.: I understand. As of now, we have not been notified of the addition of that channel. I will need to submit the channel request. Xxxx: Okay, thanks! Mary Jane G.: You're very welcome. Mary Jane G.: After reviewing your account, I noticed you do not have our home phone service. Is that something you'd be interested in learning more about today? Xxxx: Only if you add Comcast SportsNet Houston before tomorrow's game...
Right?! If we can't bash the Rockets and Les Alexander for yet another thing, this really isn't worth our time worrying about.
My U-verse is ridiculously expensive: $240/month. AT+T would create a lot of good will if they'd quietly add CSN Houston to their U-300 and above lineups.
Good find. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-in-reply-to="263079870639271938"><p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/dustycougar77">dustycougar77</a> csn wants providers like directv to carry for free or low cost, providers want csn to pay them to carry</p>— Reid Laymance (@ReidLaymance) <a href="https://twitter.com/ReidLaymance/status/263084554129121280" data-datetime="2012-10-30T01:07:00+00:00">October 30, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Why don't yall keep retweeting this to DirecTV and U-Verse and threaten to cancel if true. If they know that their customers found out that their own greed is keeping them from watching their favorite team, they might opt to carry CSN immediately.
Dude what is on your U300 plan that u have to pay $240/month? I have U300 with the fastest internet, but I only pay $95/month.
This statement doesn't make any sense at all. The fact is Comcast paid a billion dollars over 10 years and gave up 70% ownership in this network to get the rights. The FSN deal was 1.2 billion with no ownership stake. From what I've read, FOX Sports in LA charges the providers $5 per subscriber to carry FOX Sports which no longer carries the Lakers. I seriously doubt there is a conspiracy by DTV, UVerse, and DISH to force CSN to actually pay them to carry this network in Houston. That doesn't make a damn bit of sense.
There is no way it's true. It's not how television rights deals work. If Comcast paid a ton of money to get a network and then wants other providers to carry it for free they are stupid. The issue is that comcast wants a fee from the other carriers to show the channel, just like all networks get when they sell their channels to providers. The dispute is about the amount that comcast wants to get paid.
drop all those movie channels if thats what over loading you ..I dumped HBO on U verse yesterday to save 16 bucks... ( btw they always offer 3 free months in january so I just sit back and wait...lol) I kept 300 level cause you get NBA TV -NFL-and now totally useless FSN who cares Inc.,,,and they throw in plenty of movie channels. So with the 2nd tier net connection speed, wireless receiver, DVD hard drive and wireless throughout the house I dropped down to less then 135 a month total.....why is your so high?,, I think they're rakin you... i call it cable creep...and I work for one ! which I cant get free at my place...: (
I won't say he's a liar. Unless this is a first in the history of television negotiations, I think he's just mistaken/confused. I've never heard of a dispute between a television network and providers that was centered on the network wanting to offer their services for free to a provider and being turned down.
Save the "I told you so's" No one knows anything about what's going on behind the scenes with these negotiations. Quit pretending like you knew all along. It does seem very strange. Bottom line is we are probably going to have to wait until this is all over (soon, I hope) before we really know what the hell is going on.
You guys know where the studio is at. Time to egg it. Wrap it with toilet paper. Or take sledge hammers to it. I have Comcast already, but who doesn't love a good riot. Imagine the TVs and video equipment we could loot.
I'd really love to have the channel, and not just because of the Rockets games. When a game ended in the past, there's usually the same lame post game coverage that lasts for 30 minutes. If I had CSN Houston, there would be non stop information on the Rockets and Astros. It's like having your own local ESPN channel. So frustrating, fans are the people who make the leagues possible, now we're left in the dark.
I don't see how this is possible. The U300 is more than $95 alone after taxes, and the fastest internet it over $55.00. I also have four HD DVR's and I'm paying around $204.00 after taxes.
