Not saying you have to switch to Comcast to be a fan. Just don't give the providers a free pass because they gave you a couple discounts. I don't know if I'd switch to Comcast if I was in your shoes, because I've heard pretty bad things about them... but I'd definitely be pissed at my own provider in addition to the CSN side. That's all I was saying.
That's all fine and good. I'd like the providers to articulate that themselves, though, instead of locking onto this made-for-PR "sports tier" spin. They're not. Until they do, their stated position is disingenuous.
I have to be honest, I don't know whether their stated position is disingenuous because I haven't heard an official statement about this sports tier thing.
From the most recent Chron story: A DirecTV spokesman said the company stood by a statement last week that it wants “an agreement with the owners of CSN Houston that allows customers to choose whether they want to pay to see the games or not. We are ready and willing to have that discussion any time.” http://blog.chron.com/sportsmedia/2...rs-wont-blink-in-price-carriage-negotiations/ They've basically repeated that exact same statement, with only slight deviation, for months. They're not even addressing the issue of price. Every public statement is locked onto the "sports tier" theme.
I see. I don't see how that statement is disingenuous? That may be their negotiating position right now. CSN has talked about the providers "taking away" our access to sports so now DTV is taking the position that they'd like to offer you the ability to buy them back. We all know they'd make a deal that didn't force it onto a pay tier, but they won't do it at the prices Comcast wants. When less than 5% of Houston watches these teams it's hard to imagine asking for one of the richest per subscriber rates in the country.
This is what people conveniently ignore. CSN is asking the providers who provide service to 60% of Houston to pay an additional $4.5 million monthly ($3.40 reportedly x 2.2 million x 60%) to the $3.7 million they pay monthly for FSSW (2.2 million x 60% x $2.80). That is just for Houston and does not include the remainder of the five state footprint. That would amount to $8.2 million a month for 60% of Houston for RSNs. The abysmal ratings the games typically draw in this market do not justify that kind of cost to be spread to all subscribers. It simply is not sustainable.
It's disingenuous because that can't seriously be their position. There's not a single RSN in the entire United States that isn't on the extended basic tier in their home market. The bolded part of your post -- you're sure not hearing that from them. Their PR campaign is zeroed in on the "ala carte" logic, which infuriates me because 1) we know good and well it's not going to happen and 2) they're not making that fight elsewhere. As you said, the issue comes down to price. I'd like for both sides to stop talking to the masses like children and instead articulate their positions on what a fair price would be (and why). These "ala carte" statements are just PR spin nonsense. It's frustrating.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a> owner Jim Crane said he thinks something "will get done" with @<a href="https://twitter.com/csnhouston">csnhouston</a> deal. If not by April 2, soon after. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23MLB">#MLB</a></p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/318479545147719681">March 31, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Brian Smith's ability to travel to the future is what landed him the job. Not really sure why the time is off, though.
Oddly enough, I am in College Station. Not sure why it made the time change. Maybe its my settings on this site because everything is up to date on the ol' laptop.
Crane made that comment on 610 this week, about 10 minutes later he stated if fans want to watch they can switch to Comcast. I hope a deal gets done obviously, but this isn't new news
And that's predicated on people flocking away from their service providers to watch the LAstros. I just don't see that happening.
I think part of the reason people are "giving the providers a pass" as Cat has been stating it is that the providers aren't putting a bunch of propaganda out there to the masses. They are making statements that get put in news articles, but that is in response to requests for information or quotes from reporters, I think. They certainly aren't putting their CEO on sports radio stations and spouting a bunch of false nonsense trying to convince everyone to be on their side. Maybe that is a minor quibble to some, but it infuriates me to hear it. I have no doubt the other providers have their own fair share of dishonesty, but I don't feel like they are shoving it down my throat or trying to get the fans to do their dirty work for them (call your service provider and complain so I can make more money!). At this point I am mega-pissed at all sides, but the team and Comcast side is getting the most of my ire because of those commercials.
Jumping in on convo late, how can there not be an out clause when the two main products walk. In Houston can is much more valuable than LAN which is a dumb idea for different reasons. When ut is good the football team will be on enough nationally televised games to make the network worthless.
And that's also why Crane is being criticized more than Les. Because Les is keeping his trap shut and Crane is saying stupid **** that just infuriates many fans.
