I just saw this article posted 1/3/13 in HomeMedia magazine. Don't know if it has already been posted here. It sounds like Directv has acquired the rights to air Epix.
"Effective Feb. 7 DirecTV will raise subscription rates by an average of 4.5%, pointing to higher programming costs for the increases.
In 2013, the programming fees we pay to the owners of these television channels will increase about 8%, but DirecTV is adjusting the prices our customers pay on average about 4.5%,” the pay-TV operator said in a statement. “By holding firm in programming negotiations, we have been able to keep price increases below our cable competitors.”
During July 2012 Viacom channels went dark for 10 days on DirecTV during a dispute over carriage fees, where Viacom had been seeking a 30% increase in fees. The agreement gave DirecTV the option to add the Epix pay-TV channel, which is co-owned by Paramount, MGM and Lionsgate, and gave DirecTV users access to Viacom channels via tablets, laptops and other devices."
The question is...why should D* add it if they are doing fine without it?
And Epix probably wants to be in a base package so they can increase their subs. The latest numbers I saw has them at around 10 million subs. The closest to them is Showtime with about 21 million.
The reason they should add it is they could have had at least one more subscriber!
Seriously they should add it as either part of HDExtra or standalone mini premium because many want it. It could help in gaining new subs and retaining old ones.
Assuming your numbers are correct, that 10 million subs is pretty darned good for a product that has 3 HD channels and on SD channel and is as new to the game as they are. I seriously doubt that TMC or Encore would have that many subs if they had to stand on their own, yet they are the nearest like comparison that could be made.
You can't seriously compare a newbie on the block to the very old and experienced HBO/Showtime with a straight face!
Absolutely! I've always figured that the commercial accounts cover all of the cost of NFLST with some profit even from them, and every residential subscriber is just gravy on top!
The reason they should add it is they could have had at least one more subscriber!
Seriously they should add it as either part of HDExtra or standalone mini premium because many want it. It could help in gaining new subs and retaining old ones.
It all comes down to $$$. Sure they could gain a few extra subs but at what cost? Programming & retrans fees are now around 40% of D*'s monthly operating cost.
So with the Viacom deal last summer they have the right to carry Epix, but are probably waiting for the best terms to do so.
Get off it! How about NFL ST? Thats a huge bill passed on 19 million customers for just less then 2 million subscribers. Oh but i'm sure that doesn't count right!
The cost per subscriber that D* has to make for NFLST is $333 ($1 billion divided by 3 million subs). And every Bar & Restaurant price above is way more than that.
It all comes down to $$$. Sure they could gain a few extra subs but at what cost? Programming & retrans fees are now around 40% of D*'s monthly operating cost.
So with the Viacom deal last summer they have the right to carry Epix, but are probably waiting for the best terms to do so.
Hey whats networks and show do you Like? Cause maybe I don't like them and Tired of paying for them.
I just got hit with a $10 price increase. For what?
The cost per subscriber that D* has to make for NFLST is $333 ($1 billion divided by 3 million subs). And every Bar & Restaurant price above is way more than that.
I don't give a crap about your Directv .com link,
I want the list of the number commercial subscribers that Pay, along with the List of Paying subscribers, that proves having NFL ST , MLB EI,NHL CI, NBA, HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz Encore doesn't cost 19 million customers any money over what they would pay if they were not offered.
Cause all of you seem to claim only Epix passes on its cost to all the customers.
Sorry, don't have one, just remember hearing him say it during a call.
Guess I could go the other way, do you have a link from DIRECTV that shows that subs are paying for sports subscription packages that they don't subscribe to?
Sorry, don't have one, just remember hearing him say it during a call.
Guess I could go the other way, do you have a link from DIRECTV that shows that subs are paying for sports subscription packages that they don't subscribe to?
No I don't.
I'm not the one running around claiming EPIX is bad cause it cost 19 million customers money, but the other premiums and subscription don't.
No I don't.
I'm not the one running around claiming EPIX is bad cause it cost 19 million customers money, but the other premiums and subscription don't.
Actually it's not as bad as you think. D* pays the NFL $1 billion per year under the current agreement. There's approximately 3 million subs (residential & commercial) that have NFLST. When you do the math that's only $333 per subscriber. Considering that commercial NFLST is way more than that, I imagine they either break even or make some money from having it.
Well you should...because it disproves your claim.
damondlt said:
I want the list of the number commercial subscribers that Pay, along with the List of Paying subscribers, that proves having NFL ST , MLB EI,NHL CI, NBA, HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz Encore doesn't cost 19 million customers any money over what they would pay if they were not offered.
Cause all of you seem to claim only Epix passes on its cost to all the customers.
All of those channels/packages you mention above are a la carte add-on's...which means the cost is absorbed by the customer since they are paying for that specific package or offering.
What Epix is proposing (including it in base packages) would increase the cost for subs because D* would pay for everyone to have that channel, weather they wanted it or not.
If Epix would be a Premium like HBO, Starz, etc that would be more likely to have D* agree to it.
Epix should remove the base package carriage requirement, or drop that crazy $1-$1.50 per sub fee.
It would probably be closer to 15-16 million that subscribe to Choice package and above...
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