Fox says Dish deal unlikely to come soon 12:00 AM CDT on Saturday, October 23, 2010 By VICTOR GODINEZ / The Dallas Morning News vgodinez@dallasnews.com As the stalemate between Dish Network LLC and Fox Sports enters its fourth weekend, Fox is telling satellite TV subscribers that no end is in sight. Nineteen regional sports networks, including Fox Sports Southwest in the Dallas area, as well as FX and the National Geographic Channel, went dark for Dish subscribers on Oct. 1 after the contract with Dish to carry the channels expired with no new agreement in place. Fox said in a statement that the 440,000 Dallas-area Dish subscribers probably won't be getting their channels back anytime soon. In addition to college football and Dallas Stars hockey games, Dish subscribers are likely to miss Wednesday's regular season opener for the Dallas Mavericks, Fox said. Fox also is warning that its contract with Dish to carry network affiliate KDFW-TV (Channel 4) expires at the end of October. In addition to NFL football games and shows like House and American Idol , Fox 4 also will broadcast the World Series. The first three games will be played before the deadline, but game 4 airs the evening of Oct. 31, which means the final innings could be blacked out if the game runs late. The final three games, if needed, also could be blacked out. These increasingly frequent clashes between broadcasters and pay TV providers are starting to attract the attention of lawmakers and regulators. Cable provider Cablevision – which does not serve any customers in the Dallas area – and Fox, which is owned by News Corp., are also embroiled in a dispute over carriage fees for Fox's network stations. The channels have been blacked out for nearly a week for millions of Cablevision customers. FCC media bureau chief William Lake on Friday sent a letter to both companies reminding them they "have a statutory duty to engage in 'good faith' negotiations." Lake also asked both companies to submit any evidence the other side is not negotiating in good faith. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., chairman of the Senate commerce communications subcommittee, recently sent the FCC a letter with proposed language for a bill that would give the agency a formal role as a mediator in disputes between broadcasters and providers. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon...DN-Dish_23bus.ART.State.Edition1.248a08c.html
Dish is going to have to sue Fox, the fact that Fox is advertising for folks to shift their services over to something that Murdoch also owns is very questionable in fair trade practices. DD
I'm siding with Dish Network on this, but probably going down the path to making the switch to Direct TV
I might feel more sorry for folks, but keep in mind that DirecTV and Dish tried to merge. The cable carriers lobbied very hard to prevent this. Where was the outrage from folks then? It was a slimy way for cable companies to attempt to stifle a stronger competitor. They charge more than satellite too!
The price of DriectTV is cheap right now due to the promotion in Houston. I like my new directTV, it gives me a few extra channels that I can watch besides the rockets games.
Same I just talked to a Dish Network executive on the phone, and he says they are in constant talks and from what he has been told signs of moving forward do exist, just doesn't know when. It's hard to believe anyone in particular because you here conflicting news on various sites. I also got a response from a FOX representative through e-mail and they say they have NOT asked for a 50% increase and what they have asked for is completely "fair." I don't buy that and I am siding with Dish Network, but if something doesn't get done within the next week or so I will probably jump ship, no choice for a die hard Rockets fan.
Well, I called Dish Network yesterday because I was getting fed up with the lockout. I threatened to cancel my service and got $10 off my bill for a year, and a credit for HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and Starz for 3 months (already pay for it), and 3 pay per view coupons. I wasn't planning on leaving, but wanted something for my trouble!
We had DirecTV installed today. I never had a problem with Dish until now and it is a PITA to switch but it should be cool.
Can't dish just pick up the Beaumont Fox station, or the Victoria one? They can't all be owned by Murdoch.... DD
I am near Beaumont and our local stations dont carry any Rockets games. The local fox in KBTV4 and they dont carry any Rockets games. I dont think that the Houston Fox does either though, so I am not sure what you are getting at. No disrespect.
Yup... i've been with Dish network for more 10+ years and it kinda sucks that i'm gonna have to switch. Probably gonna go with Comcast. They seem to have the best HD/DVR package right now..
I havent kept up w/ the scene in a long while but maybe you can look into getting a FTA box. I think the ones that are currently working are the ones that use "IKS". I dont know which ones are currently working. These boxes allow you to get "certain programming" for free. Leauge pass was one of that programming which was basically just a whole bunch of Fox sports channels. With these boxes you can also get local channels from other regions ( for example New York, Nashville, etc) so if the Rockets games would be blocked out in Houston, you could still watch by tuning in to these channels. Rockets games would have two broadcasts, the one w/ Bill and Clyde, and the one w/ the opposing teams broadcasters. Worked great for the NFL as well. Like I said though, its been a long while since I've messed w/ it but I may be taking a look into it soon myself.
