Cutting the Cable Guide

[Boyd01]

I really don't understand DirecTV

I don't either. They also own Dish and Sling now, but it's not clear to me whether the acquisition (which was announced about a year ago) has been completed yet.

"DIRECTV (the “Company”) and EchoStar (NASDAQ: SATS) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which DIRECTV will acquire EchoStar’s video distribution business DISH DBS (“DISH”), including DISH TV and Sling TV, through a debt exchange transaction. "

DIRECTV Acquisition of DISH Network

DIRECTV and Dish are coming together to provide U.S. Consumers with More Flexibility and Better Value in the Highly Competitive Video Industry Currently Dominated by Large Tech Companies and Programmers.

www.directv.com

Some speculation about what that means for Sling here, but this was also a year ago

DIRECTV Is Set to Acquire DISH, but What Does That Mean for its Streaming Service Sling TV?

When DIRECTV takes over DISH to create the largest pay-TV provider in the U.S., the question of what happens with their related streaming services remains.

thestreamable.com

 

[dwrufus53]

I really don't understand DirecTV, I see them amping up their marketing lately, which is a good thing, competition is good but when I went to compare DirecTV vs. youtube tv (because of the disney/google hissy fit), i was shocked at how expensive it was. They're the underdog, they need to offer things that Google doesn't if not in features, then definitely in price.

As best as I could discern, the Choice package (the mid-tier package) will run you about 120 bucks a month. Given the channels the wife and I watch, that was the most logical option. Its highly deceptive to see 60.00 bucks a month and while they detail month 2 and 3 prices, they don't for when this promotion ends, i.e., months 4 and up. I had to some googling and it seems that I'd be looking at the aforementioned 120

When DirecTV was (partially) owned by AT&T, they offered some really good discounts for subscribers to both. I got a $25 lifetime credit on DTV (for AT&T service). They also offered a $35/month "loyalty credit" - was with them for 20+ years. The "loyalty credit" is good for 12 months, then it rolls off. If you call and go through their loyalty department they will find something to give you (but was always less that the previous). After a couple of renewals, the "loyalty credit" was $10/month. Then, apparently somebody died because the "lifetime credit" for the AT&T service disappeared. Argued with the agent to no avail.

The new bill was going to be $189 for the Choice package with NO add-ons. That is obscene. I told them to pound sand and cancel immediately. Nope. They only cancel at the end of the billing cycle. Squeezed another $120+ out of me.

If YouTube TV gets their crap together, it's not a bad deal. But way too much for no ESPN or ABC. I could give a crap about the mouse tv... Also seriously looking at Hulu Live (but that's the mouse again).

 

[maflynn]

If YouTube TV gets their crap together

From what I've been reading, its Disney that was pushing a huge increase and Google said nope. Disney needs YT, not the other way around. The other networks largely agreed to a "fair" increase what ever that was, but Disney being the greedy evil empire wanted more. Talk about the pot (google), calling the tea kettle (disney) black - they're both bad, but in this case it Disney wanted boku bucks

 

[Huntn]

From what I've been reading, its Disney that was pushing a huge increase and Google said nope. Disney needs YT, not the other way around. The other networks largely agreed to a "fair" increase what ever that was, but Disney being the greedy evil empire wanted more. Talk about the pot (google), calling the tea kettle (disney) black - they're both bad, but in this case it Disney wanted boku bucks

The Capitalist End Game on our doorstep.

 

[dwrufus53]

From what I've been reading, its Disney that was pushing a huge increase and Google said nope. Disney needs YT, not the other way around. The other networks largely agreed to a "fair" increase what ever that was, but Disney being the greedy evil empire wanted more. Talk about the pot (google), calling the tea kettle (disney) black - they're both bad, but in this case it Disney wanted boku bucks

Are they even still talking or have negotiations broken off?

 

[maflynn]

Are they even still talking or have negotiations broken off?

I had read an article they were talking. The head of the FCC was pushing for a resolution as well

 

[turbineseaplane]

When I got offered a $20 credit, and then read how this dispute was a bit different than previous ones, I immediately cancelled. A couple weeks in, it looks very much like the smart move.

I'm just going to take a month off no matter what, which will total more than 4 "credits".

 

[maflynn]

Disney warns of potentially long dispute with YouTube TV, shares fall

Looks like both sides are digging in their heels.

One thing I'm noticing with this outage. I'm not missing disney owned channels as much as I thought I would be. I have sling right now, and that gives me some of the ESPN channels, and I get to see some college games but I've not used sling that much. college football season is largely coming to a close as we get to thanksgiving so the need for espn is reduced.

Remember back in the day, ESPN was an interesting channel to get your sports information, news and scores. Now its sports radio on tv with everyone yelling at each other interspersed with betting information (which I don't do).

Once my month of sling ends, I think I'll not renew it.

 

[turbineseaplane]

@maflynn

Thank you for this link. This just confirms I'm going to dial in a Directv stream sports genre pack sub for the remainder of NCAA FB season I think.

$60 for 2 months, goes to $70 after, but hopefully before then this is over.

 

[dwrufus53]

Google and the mouse have kissed and made up. YouTubeTV is once again carrying the mouse channels (ABC, Disney and the ESPN networks).

Disney channels are back on YouTube TV

Google and Disney have finally reached an agreement, a couple of weeks after YouTube TV lost access to Disney channels.

www.engadget.com

 

[dwrufus53]

Disney warns of potentially long dispute with YouTube TV, shares fall

Looks like both sides are digging in their heels.

One thing I'm noticing with this outage. I'm not missing disney owned channels as much as I thought I would be. I have sling right now, and that gives me some of the ESPN channels, and I get to see some college games but I've not used sling that much. college football season is largely coming to a close as we get to thanksgiving so the need for espn is reduced.

Remember back in the day, ESPN was an interesting channel to get your sports information, news and scores. Now its sports radio on tv with everyone yelling at each other interspersed with betting information (which I don't do).

Once my month of sling ends, I think I'll not renew it.

So strange. I saw this article this morning and now everything is fixed.

 

[dwrufus53]

I don't either. They also own Dish and Sling now, but it's not clear to me whether the acquisition (which was announced about a year ago) has been completed yet.

"DIRECTV (the “Company”) and EchoStar (NASDAQ: SATS) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which DIRECTV will acquire EchoStar’s video distribution business DISH DBS (“DISH”), including DISH TV and Sling TV, through a debt exchange transaction. "

DIRECTV Acquisition of DISH Network

DIRECTV and Dish are coming together to provide U.S. Consumers with More Flexibility and Better Value in the Highly Competitive Video Industry Currently Dominated by Large Tech Companies and Programmers.

www.directv.com

Some speculation about what that means for Sling here, but this was also a year ago

DIRECTV Is Set to Acquire DISH, but What Does That Mean for its Streaming Service Sling TV?

When DIRECTV takes over DISH to create the largest pay-TV provider in the U.S., the question of what happens with their related streaming services remains.

thestreamable.com

In September 2024, DirecTV announced a definitive agreement to acquire DISH Network's video distribution business (including DISH TV and Sling TV) from its corporate parent, EchoStar.

This deal, which involved a nominal payment of $1 plus the assumption of a significant amount of DISH debt, was expected to close in late 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions.

In November 2024) indicates that DirecTV officially called off the agreement to acquire Dish Network.

The current status is that they are separate and competing companies.

 

[maflynn]

So strange. I saw this article this morning and now everything is fixed.

Yeah, must be one of those negotiating tricks, either way, they kissed and made up

 

[poorcody]

Sounds like Google really won the negotiation battle with Disney: they can now offer a separate sports bundle to include Disney sports products (e.g. ESPN channels) separate from the full-bundle:

YouTube TV Wins the Rights to Launch a Cheaper Sports Only Package & Include ESPN In It | Cord Cutters News

YouTube TV has finalized a renewed carriage agreement with The Walt Disney Company, ensuring the continued availability of Disney-owned networks on the platform while opening the door to innovative, lower-cost channel bundles focused exclusively on sports programming. The multi-year pact, which...

cordcuttersnews.com