Having pieced together information from various sources, it appears the Pac-12 and DirecTV are close to a carriage deal.http://blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2012/08/21/pac-12-networks-updates-on-directv-and-coxcomcast-neuheisels-debut-and-the-objectivity-issue/
Does that mean an agreement in the next few hours … or days … or next week? I’m not sure of the exact timing. And as with any negotiation, last-minute snags are always possible.
But it sure seems like only that — a last-minute snag — will prevent the two sides from reaching a deal prior to the start of the football season.
As I posted to the folks over on Charter's facebook page yesterday, the Pac 12 Networks train is moving out with DirecTV on board and Charter should not be left at the station! I got their usual canned response.
Be sure to read the "comments" to Wilner's blog because they are as informative as the blog posting !
UPDATE
USC Trojan Honk in his comments to this post writes the following:
In response to another request to Charter regarding the Pac-12 Network, customer rep John Mattingly this time has used another prepared statement that compared to the others we have read, offers some positive feedback: (NOTE: Notice the last sentence)
"We are interested in carrying the PAC-12 Network in a manner that takes into account the best interests of our customers. The latest terms offered by the PAC-12 Network require Charter to provide programming to our customers at an increased cost. We do appreciate your interest in our programming and hope to have the network for you soon. "
Hmmm...the word "soon" has been the most positive comment made since any of the various "canned" responses have been posted.
That is good news!
Jim, I read the same post. You need to remember that no new deal has been announced as details are still being worked out. Jon Wilmer on a radio interview yesterday mentioned that it's close but not done as of yet since many details are still being negotiated.
ReplyDeleteIn response to another request to Charter regarding the Pac-12 Network, customer rep John Mattingly this time has used another prepared statement that compared to the others we have read, offers some positive feedback: (NOTE: Notice the last sentence)
"We are interested in carrying the PAC-12 Network in a manner that takes into account the best interests of our customers. The latest terms offered by the PAC-12 Network require Charter to provide programming to our customers at an increased cost. We do appreciate your interest in our programming and hope to have the network for you soon. "
Hmmm...the word "soon" has been the most positive comment made since any of the various "canned" responses have been posted.
In another response, a Charter customer who seems to be aware of the prepared statements posted:
"PAC 12 NETWORK! GET IT DONE!!! we don't need these canned responses from the PR department, we need RESULTS! All your canned responses do is make it sound like Charter wants the network for free, and that is not realistic. Sign the contract like most of the other "smart" providers have, and pass the cost on to us...that's fair, and we are willing. (PR department, please don't respond to this, I have seen your same old response a million times over)."
So, it appears Charter customers are beginning to lose patience. As posted before, if and when a deal is announced between DirecTV and the Pac-12 Network, customers of Charter will have another provider outlet to choose rather than waiting for Charter to come to a deal with the Pac-12.
UPDATE
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Canby (Oregon) Herald, Canby Telcom has reached a deal to carry the Pac-12 Networks.
http://www.canbyherald.com/news/2012/August/21/Local.News/canby.telcom.reches.deal.with.pac12.network/news.aspx
And Charter continues to only give "canned" answers of why there is no deal yet whenever any requests are posted on their Facebook page.
UPDATE
ReplyDeleteThe Pac-12 has posted on their Facebook page the following regarding current updates with potential providers:
"We're working on a blog post now that aims to answer the most pressing questions to the best of our ability. Look for it tomorrow" (August 22).
Let's hope there is some news regarding Charter that they can pass on.
Thank you for your informative contributions to this blog. Jim Wickre
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSTILL SOME HOPE FOR CHARTER CUSTOMERS...MAYBE?
ReplyDeleteIn three different tweets this morning (August 23), Wilmer has mentioned Charter exclusvely:
Tweet 1. Re: Pac12Nets and Charter. The Co is part of NCTC, which has a partnership with the Pac, but Charter not on board yet. That's a big one ...
Tweet 2. I'd rank Charter #2 behind DirecTV in terms of carriage significance for the conference in the next few weeks.
Tweet 3. Dish has more customers than Charter but it also appear far less realistic than Charter.
In my opinion two things seem to be confirmed:
1. That Charter is indeed a member of the NCTC (National Cable Television Cooperative) who on July 20th announced a distribution deal to carry the Pac-12 Networks among their members. Why Charter is not on board yet still remains a mystery.
2. If and when Directv announces a deal with the Pac-12, according to Wilmer, Charter would be second priority in carriage significance for the conference in the next few weeks or by September 21st.
As I have mentioned before, once Directv is on board, the pressure will be on Charter to do the same and now it appears the Pac-12 would work harder to make sure this will happen soon.