AT&T Drops Scripps Networks

[RockaFowler]

OK, I'm a little pissed right now. HGTV, Food Network and DIY have all been removed from AT&T Uverse.

AT&T U-verse TV Customers Denied Fair Deal by Scripps Networks


AT&T U-verse TV customers have been denied a fair deal for HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Cooking Channel and GAC programming by Scripps Networks, leaving AT&T without the rights to deliver these channels as of 1:00 a.m. EDT. AT&T* issued the following statement to update its customers:

We're extremely disappointed that Scripps Networks won't provide a fair deal for AT&T customers. Our team has been working for weeks to reach a fair agreement, but Scripps Networks ultimately refused to put in writing key terms that had been agreed upon verbally, leaving our customers without a fair deal as our extended contract expired.

Unfortunately, this is yet another example of a network punishing its own viewers for leverage in programming negotiations. Scripps Networks is demanding that AT&T pay double what other competitors pay — including smaller-sized affiliates — and has yet to provide a proposal that gives AT&T a choice in the channels we carry and pay for, despite repeated requests.

Scripps Networks also wants this premium price for inferior access to their content for our customers on other platforms, even though other competitors get this at much lower prices. With such an uneven playing field, they are harming AT&T's ability to provide customers with a new video choice.

We will continue to fight for a fair deal to bring these channels back to our lineup because our customers deserve the programming they want, at a fair price.



This is not what Scripps is saying, though.

http://newsroom.scrippsnetworks.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=4650

In a surprising move after weeks of positive negotiations, AT&T U-verse refused a third extension offered by Scripps Networks that would keep the family friendly networks HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country on the air while negotiations continued. The decision by AT&T disrupted service to the telecom provider’s 2.7 million customers, leaving them without some of the most popular lifestyle networks on television.

“Let me start by saying this impasse is not about money,” said John Lansing, president of Scripps Networks. “We reached an agreement in principle with AT&T U-verse on the distribution fees we would receive for these networks well in advance of last month’s contract deadline.”



Lansing added that AT&T refused an offer early Friday morning to extend the existing contract through the end of this year in order to allow negotiations to continue and resolve any outstanding business issues.


I'M PISSED

[glinda]

1. Why does this sound familiar?

[SoCalNative]

2. Expect more of this

this is why I'm ready to give up TV and just watch things online.

[alarimer]

3. Then ATT needs to reduce my bill since I am not getting the channels I pay for

Like they will do that.

[Kalyke]

4. Wow... drop all the liberal shows on AT&T and Keith on Comcast.

And then kill net neutrality.

Geezus, we're screwed.

[Deuce]

5. Just got Uverse and watch HGTV and DIY all the time...damn!