DirecTV Dropping TWC

[Adrian]

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/the-weather-channels-stormy-negotiations-with-direct-tv_b208483

DirectTV to drop TWC?

[weatherfan_2013]

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/the-weather-channels-stormy-negotiations-with-direct-tv_b208483

DirectTV to drop TWC?

Even though I don't have directv, I wouldn't mind TWC being dropped because WeatherNation is playing Jazz music on the local forecasts which are 3 minutes and no long form 

[jrhtwc]

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/the-weather-channels-stormy-negotiations-with-direct-tv_b208483

DirectTV to drop TWC?

Well, here we go again! It's the same thing DISH pulled when they added TWCast, almost dropped TWC, then settled with TWC and did away with TWCast. I wonder what TWCast/WN thinks of all this moving around?
It's nice to know that DTV only put WN on to force TWC's hand! Why can't we have 2 weather channels?!?!?!?!?

Will Network Weather be used this way too next OCT?? I still think TWCast should have and hope WN and Network Weather will be used as additions, not replacements.

[WeatherWitness]

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/the-weather-channels-stormy-negotiations-with-direct-tv_b208483

DirectTV to drop TWC?

DirecTV just loves to piss a lot of TV channels/companies off, don't they?

But in all honesty, I am proud of DirecTV for doing this.  The article says that TWC executives are upset, but if viewers want a real "weather" channel, then that's TWC's problem, not DirecTV who wants to provide for their customers.  We'll see if this actually happens, though - like usual, DirecTV will probably make a deal with TWC at the last minute.

[Metarvo]

  

I don't blame them at all, and I have DirecTV.  I think TWC deserves it!  Maybe this will be the wakeup call the struggling channel needs to get their act together.

[Mike M]

I'm sure the FCC will make them reach a deal, just like what has happened with Viacom, Time Warner, etc. I can't see them indefinitely dropping TWC.

[weatherfan_2013]

I'm sure the FCC will make them reach a deal, just like what has happened with Viacom, Time Warner, etc. I can't see them indefinitely dropping TWC.

TWC is a tv network. The FCC does not regulate them. They can try to influence the channel back on but it is definitely in Directv's rights to drop them. The FCC can't do nothing about it. However I do hope that TWC get's their act together with providers trying to drop them.

[Zach]

It would make sense for DirecTV to drop TWC.. they're already carrying WeatherNation, which is actually real weather all the time 

[TrevortonG16]

I saw this on another forum -- if DirecTV were to drop TWC, they'd also lose other NBCUniversal cable networks and maybe NBC and Telemundo O&Os as well. That would end in millions of DTV subscribers pulling the plug.

[Metarvo]

I rarely watch anything NBC though, except the local and TWC.  Why should NBC force any provider to carry a network that has lost its focus the way TWC has?  I mean, I know this is the way business works, but come on.  Really, it rolls back to Comcast because of NBC's connection to them. 

[TWCmatthew]

The professionalism of the OCM's has really went through the basement floor. In my opinion, a major television network like TWC should make sure their broadcasters maintain a large degree of professionalism, and don't crack unnecessary jokes and stupid comments. 10+ years ago, the TWC mets were more serious, and gave you the forecast and the facts, without all the side bullcrap. TWC is not a sitcom, it's an informational network.

[TrevortonG16]

I rarely watch anything NBC though, except the local and TWC.  Why should NBC force any provider to carry a network that has lost its focus the way TWC has?  I mean, I know this is the way business works, but come on.  Really, it rolls back to Comcast because of NBC's connection to them. 

Next February is an Olympic month for NBCUniversal with the Sochi 2014 Winter Games, which starts the week after Super Bowl XLVIII. That should provide more incentive for DirecTV to renew the contract.

[WeatherSTARIII]

I saw this on another forum -- if DirecTV were to drop TWC, they'd also lose other NBCUniversal cable networks and maybe NBC and Telemundo O&Os as well. That would end in millions of DTV subscribers pulling the plug.

As long if DirecTV were to only renew the other NBC-Comcast owned & operated stations that doesn't include TWC. DirecTV did so with the Viacom dispute back in July 2012. What happened in that dispute was that Viacom wanted DirecTV to offer their premium channel Epix, but DirecTV wasn't interested (likely because of ratings?). That's what led up to that 10 day dispute. Eventually, Viacom gave DirecTV a new offer that doesn't include Epix. So why not NBC? NBC should let providers to decide to let them drop TWC without losing all of their other owned & operated stations (such as MSNBC, CNBC, NBCSN, Bravo, Oxygen, USA, etc.)

Either way, I hope DirecTV doesn't drop WeatherNation if they were to get a new deal for TWC. I love this newly added station. That's what happened with Dish back in 2010 that led up to the shut-down of WeatherNation's predecessor, The Weather Cast.

As for my local NBC affiliate, at least it's not owned and operated by the network. But, my local NBC affiliate on the other hand dropped their AccuWeather digital sub-channel recently. I still want to see a weather competition.

[WeatherWitness]

Honestly, it seems as though TWC is chicken.  Afraid of a little competition, are they?

[toxictwister00]

The professionalism of the OCM's has really went through the basement floor. In my opinion, a major television network like TWC should make sure their broadcasters maintain a large degree of professionalism, and don't crack unnecessary jokes and stupid comments. 10+ years ago, the TWC mets were more serious, and gave you the forecast and the facts, without all the side bullcrap. TWC is not a sitcom, it's an informational network.

I partly agree, however, I believe there should be a balance. I don't think there's anything wrong with them sharing some lighthearted banter among each other especially on days when there's very little weather to discuss in the first place, but then again on days like that they could take the opportunity to educate viewers about certain weather phenomenons most average viewers wouldn't know. Meanwhile, when there's life threatening weather they should maintain a serious manner of themselves to the viewers although in situations like that I've never myself seen them not do this. 

All I'm saying is it's ok for OCMs to have a humorous personality and share some harmless banter with their colleagues sometimes on air. As long as it doesn't go overboard or gets too inappropriate for their colleagues and the viewers it's fine with me.