Merger Maina (a good read)

[Scott Greczkowski]

http://www.cableworld.com/archive/cableworld/2002/09/02/cwd02090206.shtml

It's a very good read.

Score another for Charlie

[James_F]

God help me if I have to see that idiot charlie on my system after the merger. :bang:

[Curtis0620]

To pay for all the legal fees he'll just add a few porn charges to peoples bills.

[cnsf]

Maybe in the last paragraph, but it seemed like a general "souring" on the merger and a spanking for Charlie's well-publicized aggressive business tactics (a descriptor also meaning the customer gets screwed).

Not sure how Charlie scores in the long run. Seems like he may be able to drag it out a little, but he can't stop DirecTV from signing customers or advertising.

His backup plan needs to be head-to-head marketing while they (DirecTV) are tied up. He also needs to get the customer sentiment back, which I think he's lost. Dish was the underdog, the sentimental favorite when I signed up. Now it appears like the impersonal megamillion conglomerate.

[Scott Greczkowski]

The reason I say Score One for Charlie, is becuase the article is correct, no matter the outcome of the merger, Charlie comes out the winner.

Sad but true.

[Mike123abc]

People have to realize that Charlie got to the position he is in because he has true talent for the job. He did not inherit this company from his daddy, he did not get hired from a different company to come run E*, he built the company himself.

He is a tough negotiator, and he has to be. You are fooling yourself if you think that contracts are negotiated to be the fairest and best for all. Contracts are negotiated to the limit each side thinks they can get out of the deal.

The whole fight on must carry is an example of fighting for the best deal. He went all the way in the courts that he could to try to get out of it. That failed, now he is working as hard as he can to use as much of the side satellites that he can to save his precious full CONUS slot locations, who could blame him? If he can pick up a few extra markets because he was able to put more obscure channels on side slots, he comes out way ahead.

He fights tooth and nail to keep costs down. He wants to make money. He knows he has to cost less than cable. Direct TV has the advantage right now because they can spread costs over more subscribers. So, it only makes sense that D* can pay for some channels E* cannot afford atm. Yes channel providers are scared that ED* comes to pass, because ED* will demand lower prices on content. Dont think that the large cable companies dont do the same thing. AOLTW negotiates just as hard.

[James_F]

Oh, I don't disagree with that Scott, but I'm tired of this guy all over the place. He should step down after the merger and let a real CEO run the thing. This isn't a used car dealership. :shrug:

[JosephF]

You mean a real CEO from let's say WorldCom, or how about Enron... no, maybe United, Qwest...

[The New Davidp]

Maybe George Bush will start a DBS service to compete against Charlie in 2004. He'll have lots of free time on his hands then.

[James_F]

Originally posted by JosephF
You mean a real CEO from let's say WorldCom, or how about Enron... no, maybe United, Qwest...

yea that is what I meant. :rolleyes:

[gopherscot]

Originally posted by The New Davidp
Maybe George Bush will start a DBS service to compete against Charlie in 2004. He'll have lots of free time on his hands then.


He will probably be watching the new combined satellite service .. while in the White House. I know Gore had cable!!:lol: :lol: :lol:

[xxxx]

Originally posted by gopherscot



He will probably be watching the new combined satellite service .. while in the White House. I know Gore had cable!

Or else Rupert's boys will make sure that Charlie is voted "People's Choice for President" on his new Fx show