Will Directv get any international channels?

[huzefa1]

Now that Murdoch has control of Directv, is it likely that Directv will bring in some international programming (more specifically from South Asia). StarTV in India is a very huge channel, but because Murdoch owns Star, it'll never come to Dishnetwork.

[juan ellitinez]

gee murdock owns fox news,fox sports,fx and speed channel all of which are carried by dish network..He also stated it would not be a good business practice to exclude other carriers from his programming networks

[huzefa1]

Didn't think of it that way, but all of those are American channels that the public is used to on cable anyway. StarTV is a pretty obscure channel to the rest of America and only benefits the South Asian migrant community. Doesn't that make it different?

[SamC]

It is illegal, and also an incrediably stupid business move for NEWS to exclude its channels from other providers, Dish or cable.

DirecTV has pretty much decided to leave the market of the less than 1% of the US that wishes to receive TV in languages other than English or Spanish market to Dish and BUD. This seems a valid, if not actually very wise, decision.

[Brett]

Murdoch doesnt have control of DirecTV, yet. It still has to pass regulatory approvals.

Globecast offers 3 South Asian channels. www.globecastwtv.com.

Comcast has recently gotten in the move to add international programming to its digital lineups according to sources. They will begin on some systems around the D.C., Balto Philly and NJ area. From what I hear, the international programming is profitable. Its more like a small but profitable side business for Dish, and the providers.

Comcast doesnt offer international channels yet, but the small cable system Service Electric in Allentown offers few international programming channels on digital (RAI and Zee). Allentown/Bethlehem isnt even a big minority group area. Its mostly white, some hispanic but the cable system there must be getting some subscriptions to keep it viable on digital cable. http://www.sectv.com/lineups2.shtml?id=2

[raj2001]

Originally posted by SamC
It is illegal, and also an incrediably stupid business move for NEWS to exclude its channels from other providers, Dish or cable.


I don't think the rules apply to international programming. I could be wrong though.

[Brett]

The FCC only says the cable-owned satellite-delivered channels have to be made available to all. Doesnt apply to Fox. But, also any TV station has to negotiate in "good faith". A station cannot sign exclusive deal with say cable to prevent being carried on satellite.

But, for some of the Fox cable channels, Fox legally could keep them off Dish. However, it would be dumb for Fox to withhold programming. If Fox wanted to play greedy, it'd make more sense for them to just increase the rates for the channels (however, that could backfire if cable and Dish refuse and drops their programming...Fox channels would lose many homes).

The actual programming rates can vary. I read that when Comcast acquired AT&T, they were upset over the AT&T deals with Starz! and other channels. The programmer can charge different rates to the providers. Fox could give Fox Movie Channel to DirecTV for free, charge $.10/customer to cable and extort their DBS competitor for the channel. However if that happens, you sure can bet Ergen would sue them.

Net result, Murdoch might not be able to play around like that.

Many channels are exclusive.

Allbritton's NewsChannel 8 in the D.C. market is cable-exclusive with Comcast and some other MSOs. RCN/StarPower complained that they couldnt get access rights to the channel. Its fiber run. Dish has signed exclusive deals for international programming for some years for some channels, DirecTV of course has signed exclusive deals with sports leagues.

[nrholland]

Some canadian channels on directv would be nice. I know that there are legal hurdles to deal with, such as exclusive rights, etc.
I remember when I had BEV during the winter olympics, the hockey games that were shown on CBC were blacked out on CNBC, which is available in Canada. BEV inserted CNBC WORLD in place of the hockey telecasts, being that CBC had the exclusive rights in Canada.
DirecTV flat out deceived us last year when they said that the NHL NETWORK would be available 12 hours a day, Monday-Friday. Now they completely deny any knowledge of it. I can tell you that us die-hard hockey fans would love the NHL Network 24/7 down here in the U.S. How about CBC programming? Very little on CBC is shown on U.S. television, except for The National on N.W.I., which is owned by CBC, and the odd special now and then.
It's no wonder that many americans and ex-canadians here in the states go to the grey market to get canadian programming. I used to, but I no longer can afford it or feel like going thru the hassles of using a broker.

Any comments? Maybe DirecTV will listen to us someday, especially after Newscorp takes over.