DirecTV Dropping TWC

[Metarvo]

Even in the early-to-mid '00s, TWC had fun, but I don't feel they took it overboard then.  I remember the "Return of the Humidity" bit from 2004 or so (meant to parody Return of the Jedi) that I thought was pretty funny.  However, when the OCMs are on less than ever before, I don't think there's as much time available for playing around.

[gt1racerlHDl]

I wonder how this DTV and TWC situation will play out, honestly i wish Comcast would drop it but they own NBC.

[Localonthe8s]

I highly doubt directv will drop twc , they'll come up with something last minute like dish. I personally don't care though because I don't watch twc anymore and any competition is welcome. Twc can't be enjoying their monopoly long enough and with network weather, if successful, twc could be in big trouble next year. But overall, I don't see much evolving from this but just talk.

[Joe The Dragon]

nbc / comcrap can play dirty and try force systems to have to buy TWC to get channels like NBCSN, local nbc, USA and more.

[IceManNYR]

TWC put out a press release regarding DTV possibly dropping the channel.

“For DIRECTV to take us off their lineup would be deeply irresponsible to its customers who not only count on The Weather Channel on a day-to-day basis, but depend on us before, during and after severe weather events. As the most trusted source of weather news and information in America, The Weather Channel is there when it matters most. If we are not available to DIRECTV’s 20 million viewers, they will miss the accurate and life-saving information we have been providing for more than 30 years,” said David Kenny, chairman and CEO of The Weather Company."
http://www.deadline.com/2014/01/the-weather-channel-directv-carriage-dispute/

"The Weather Channel is there when it matters most."

There are two instances that take exception to that,
May 15th 2013 due to meetings TWC made a decision to re run the tornado week shows instead of doing live weather shows 5pm-8pm, 10pm and 1am.
They got caught with tornadoes in Texas and were forced to go live at 8pm ET.

Then on May 18th, 2013 the storm the Tornado Hunt team were following had 3 tornadoes touch down between around 8:25pm and 9pm and TWC stayed on tape.

"If we are not available to DIRECTV’s 20 million viewers, they will miss the accurate and life-saving information we have been providing for more than 30 years".

TWC provides no weather coverage 2pm-4:30am on weekends so there is not much to miss then.
When there is severe weather I'm sure most people turn to their local broadcast channels for coverage.

[gt1racerlHDl]

here's what the scroll says on TWC

ATTENTION DIRECTV CUSTOMERS: The Weather Channel WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE TO YOU AFTER JANUARY 13TH. Don't let DIRECTV control the weather! ACT NOW. visit keeptheweatherchannel.com and demand DIRECTV keep this critical, life-saving resource in your local community.

[Metarvo]

Unmarketable is unmarketable, and I feel this is what TWC is becoming unfortunately.  It won't only be DirecTV with the way things are going.

[jrhtwc]

Is there a reason there is no longform at 1 PM CT today other than the DTV Issue?

[IceManNYR]

Now they added an annoying countdown clock to the upper right of the screen.
They also keep complaining about DTV possibly dropping them going to every break.
I'm waiting for them to add it as a slide on the LOT8s.

[toxictwister00]

Desperation is kicking in fast.

Doesn't really matter to me what happens, however it'll be interesting to see if it actually happens and for how long...

Also I've been hearing conflicting reasons as to why DTV is threatening to drop TWC. I thought it was because of viewer complaints over the lack of live programming, but from what I saw a snippet of from an article today, it's over financial reasons on TWC's end with Sam Champion, his new show, etc, and the fees they want DTV to foot the bill on.

It's likely the latter though.

EDIT: It's also ridiculous that TWC is trying to get the government to intervene by urging DTV viewers to contact their senators/congressmen to stop DTV from dropping them from the lineup.

[Nathan - a.k.a. NWRGeek]

I'd like to make a rare appearance to say that TWC is running this scroll about it (I sadly have DirecTV) saying "You may not have TWC after January 13 due to DTV", so on and so forth. DTV later chose to slap their own scroll on top of that telling folks to go to the Weather Nation channel on channel 361. Do they not realize how many people trust TWC, despite all their longform crap? Gosh, if DTV goes forward with this, I hope they go bankrupt (not going to happen - wishful thinking) so we can finally go back to the equally crappy but better Comcast.

[Adrian]

Now there running commerical ads featuring Jim Cantore presuading viewers to go to keeptheweatherchannel.com to prevent DTV from dropping TWC.

TWC is getting desperate. They will suffer this consequence if they continue to drop live programming.

If I were running TWC, I would do the following things to prevent DTV from dropping TWC:

Restore WCL hours that were cut in the November Relaunch.
Have the National Satellite LDL on at ALL times
Extend LOT8s to 2 minutes.
Add the HD Sidebar to the LOT8s.
Reduce "fluff" or "softball" stories/segments/gimmicks.
Replace Reality Long-Form with Documentary Long-Form.

[Localonthe8s]

If TWC doesn't want DirecTV to drop them, then they need to change. Extend LOT8s to 2 minutes, bring back smooth jazz, restore hours cut for longform, etc.

The fact the execs are whining over competition is pitiful. We will see how this will go but they will probably come up with something last minute. DirecTV however will lose a large number of subscribers if this does go out as planned.

[cc17926]

If TWC doesn't want DirecTV to drop them, then they need to change. Extend LOT8s to 2 minutes, bring back smooth jazz, restore hours cut for longform, etc.

The fact the execs are whining over competition is pitiful. We will see how this will go but they will probably come up with something last minute. DirecTV however will lose a large number of subscribers if this does go out as planned.

I agree with what you say. TWC needs to go back to their original mission and provide detailed weather information on YOUR schedule. Just watch what they described the day of their launch, back in 1982:

Weather Channel's Debut May 2, 1982

[twcclassics]

KeepTheWeatherChannel.com is a joke. The title of the main page (ie. "Don't Let DirecTV control the weather") alone makes me wanna puke. I also noticed that there is no mention on the site as to why DirecTV is threatening to drop the channel. It just says DirecTV is going to drop it unless you call them and your congress person. I don't have a problem with them asking viewers to call DirecTV, but why in the world are they asking congress to get involved!?

Whether it's because of a lack of weather programming or because TWC wants more money, I side with DirecTV. And I'm no fan of DirecTV (even though I have them). It really irks me when channels try to solve their budget issues by sticking it to the cable companies (and in turn their subscribers). If you can't afford to operate within your current budget, then obviously you need to cut some expenses or find a way to earn more money without raising your prices directly or indirectly.

The idea that millions will die if TWC isn't available on DirecTV is bull and they know it. And to see Jim Cantore pimping this campaign of fear is just sad. I thought he had more integrity than that.