DIRECTV is screwing Jazz Fans.....or is KJAZZ...

[SaltyDawg]

So I just signed into my Directv account online so I could set my DVR to record something over the net, and at the top of the screen I saw "Learn why KJZZ and CBS local affiliate KXJB have dropped out of our lineup."
Naturally, I clicked it. Here is what it says:

KJZZ and KXJB Demanding Exorbitant Rate Increases
We at DIRECTV care deeply about our customers and pride ourselves on providing the best array of programming at a reasonable cost. By doing this on a consistent basis over the years, we have established a reputation as an industry leader and have earned the trust and appreciation of our customers.

In our negotiations with programmers we make every effort to reach an agreement that is fair and reasonable - both for our business and our customers. Historically, we have been extremely successful in reaching distribution agreements with our programming partners and avoiding disputes that may affect our customers' viewing experience.

KJZZ customers

Unfortunately, we have been unable to reach agreements with Salt Lake City-based independent station KJZZ, and Fargo, N.D.-based CBS affiliate KXJB.

In the case of KJZZ, the station owner is asking for rates well beyond what is customary and reasonable. By starting down the road of paying such exorbitant fees, we ultimately change the overall level of our programming costs. which will result in our customers paying more for their service. That is unacceptable, especially in a difficult economic climate.

While KJZZ argues that the value of its programming has increased, it has actually reduced the number of Jazz games it carries by 60 percent. The vast majority of games continue to be available on Fox Sports Net Utah, national outlets or free over-the-air.

To voice your concern to KJZZ, please contact them at (801)537-1414 or visit http://www.kjzz.com.

KXJB customers

KXJB has also demanded that DIRECTV pay a significant and unreasonable fee increase.

We've remained willing to carry these channels while both parties negotiate in good faith, but the station owners have forced us to take them down.

We hope to resolve these disputes as soon as possible to avoid any further programming disruption. But we will not give in to these excessive demands because it is not in the best interests of DIRECTV or its customers.

To contact KXJB call (701) 237-5211 or visit http://www.valleynewslive.com.

Thank you.

The part that caught my eye? "We've remained willing to carry these channels while both parties negotiate in good faith, but the station owners have forced us to take them down."

We need to be calling KJZZ!!!

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/co ... d=P5370020

[gojazzgo]

We need to be calling KJZZ!!!

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/co ... d=P5370020

On the other side, I've heard KJZZ has brought their price to a good amount lower than what Directv pays for the channel(altitude) that carries the Avalanche and Nuggets. In fact, I believe the cut they give per utah dish suscriber to be able to watch that channel is more than what KJZZ is asking for per user.

[SaltyDawg]

We need to be calling KJZZ!!!

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/co ... d=P5370020

On the other side, I've heard KJZZ has brought their price to a good amount lower than what Directv pays for the channel(altitude) that carries the Avalanche and Nuggets. In fact, I believe the cut they give per utah dish suscriber to be able to watch that channel is more than what KJZZ is asking for per user.

I don't care. If Directv is willing to broadcast it while they negotiate, but KJZZ won't let them (as it says on the Directv website), then we all need to be calling KJZZ, not Directv.

[ColdBlue]

^ Yeah, I agree. When you sell the name of your arena to a nuclear waste dump, would you expect anything less?

It's pretty clear to me that the Jazz organization lacks certain ethics. They are abusing their fanbase and using us as a negotiating tool! Can you believe it?

What makes it even worse, is they are using half time interviews and spot adds during their broadcast as propeganda.

It's funny that a guy like LHM would ban certain movies from the public, not watch Jazz games on Sunday, but yet sell his own grandmother for a few extra bucks...

[CAE15]

easy fix make kjzz a package, charge a buck. problem solved.

[HammerDunk]

I hope this isn't a view into things to come now that Larry isn't head honcho anymore.

[nghedman]

Well fellas , Heres the other side of the story.

In an interview with Oconnor and someone else they said they have been in negotiations for about 6 months and they -KJAZZ has moved to a fair price, Direct TV hasn't given much, they also told Direct tv by year end if they don't start paying for their broadcasts like they do with EVERY other broadcast they won't have it anymore. KJAZZ is asking less than all the other stations selling their programs to Direct tv yet Direct tv will pay everyone else except KJZZ.

To me it looks like Direct TV doesn't value the Utah market and is willing to cancel them if they don't get a free package. And yet they still charge Utah subscribers the same as anyone else in the nation.

While I was living in Idaho Direct tv wouldn't show me the Jazz games because I was in the local market and they said I had to contact the local stations.... so I did and there were none in Idaho showing games, so I contacted SLC. They told me Idaho wasn't in their market and I would have to buy the games though a satalight company like Direct tv . So basically Direct tv stiffed me for a sign up saying I was local yet would never give me my games I paid for becuase I wasn't local for programing yet local according to the NBA georgraphics. Needless to say I quick Direct tv as soon as I could and am glad I'm not with them now. They will stiff anyone for a buck. And it appears they are doing it again.

[ColdBlue]

easy fix make kjzz a package, charge a buck. problem solved.

Easier fix - broadcast the games, negotiate in good faith, don't alienate your fanbase.

[ColdBlue]

Well fellas , Heres the other side of the story.

In an interview with Oconnor and someone else they said they have been in negotiations for about 6 months and they -KJAZZ has moved to a fair price, Direct TV hasn't given much, they also told Direct tv by year end if they don't start paying for their broadcasts like they do with EVERY other broadcast they won't have it anymore. KJAZZ is asking less than all the other stations selling their programs to Direct tv yet Direct tv will pay everyone else except KJZZ.

To me it looks like Direct TV doesn't value the Utah market and is willing to cancel them if they don't get a free package. And yet they still charge Utah subscribers the same as anyone else in the nation.

While I was living in Idaho Direct tv wouldn't show me the Jazz games because I was in the local market and they said I had to contact the local stations.... so I did and there were none in Idaho showing games, so I contacted SLC. They told me Idaho wasn't in their market and I would have to buy the games though a satalight company like Direct tv . So basically Direct tv stiffed me for a sign up saying I was local yet would never give me my games I paid for becuase I wasn't local for programing yet local according to the NBA georgraphics. Needless to say I quick Direct tv as soon as I could and am glad I'm not with them now. They will stiff anyone for a buck. And it appears they are doing it again.

I saw that interview, and thought the same thing, but after seeing salty dawg's post, it looks like KJAZZ pulled the plug to put pressure on DirectTV and started a propeganda campaign using it's fans... which I find to be over the top. I don't know the numbers, so I can't really say what offer is fair or not, but my point is that KJAZZ is the aggressor here and is leveraging fan discontent.

Also, Idaho is a different market.

[freakazoid]

Well fellas , Heres the other side of the story.

In an interview with Oconnor and someone else they said they have been in negotiations for about 6 months and they -KJAZZ has moved to a fair price, Direct TV hasn't given much, they also told Direct tv by year end if they don't start paying for their broadcasts like they do with EVERY other broadcast they won't have it anymore. KJAZZ is asking less than all the other stations selling their programs to Direct tv yet Direct tv will pay everyone else except KJZZ.

To me it looks like Direct TV doesn't value the Utah market and is willing to cancel them if they don't get a free package. And yet they still charge Utah subscribers the same as anyone else in the nation.
.

As a Dishnetwork subscriber, I call BS.

We've had league pass for three years, and the Utah Jazz are the only team that has screwed us.

This is true, in spite of the fact that we aren't local.

The blame lies with the team. No doubt.

[nghedman]

Well fellas , Heres the other side of the story.

In an interview with Oconnor and someone else they said they have been in negotiations for about 6 months and they -KJAZZ has moved to a fair price, Direct TV hasn't given much, they also told Direct tv by year end if they don't start paying for their broadcasts like they do with EVERY other broadcast they won't have it anymore. KJAZZ is asking less than all the other stations selling their programs to Direct tv yet Direct tv will pay everyone else except KJZZ.

To me it looks like Direct TV doesn't value the Utah market and is willing to cancel them if they don't get a free package. And yet they still charge Utah subscribers the same as anyone else in the nation.
.

As a Dishnetwork subscriber, I call BS.

We've had league pass for three years, and the Utah Jazz are the only team that has screwed us.

This is true, in spite of the fact that we aren't local.

The blame lies with the team. No doubt.

How so? Are you referring to something else other than this situation?

[SaltyDawg]

This whole thing really pisses me off. I will npot pay 1 cent extra for KJZZ. KJZZ really has a lot of nerve even asking for it.

No matter how they try to spin it, KJZZ knows that if they get any money from Directv, it is going to come in the form of a rate increase to the customers. I applaud Directv for standing up to them on my befalf. I do NOT want my bill to increase.

[SaltyDawg]

Here is what it says now:

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/co ... d=P5370020

KJZZ and KXJB Demanding Exorbitant Rate Increases
We at DIRECTV care deeply about our customers and pride ourselves on providing the best array of programming at a reasonable cost. By doing this on a consistent basis over the years, we have established a reputation as an industry leader and have earned the trust and appreciation of our customers.

In our negotiations with programmers we make every effort to reach an agreement that is fair and reasonable - both for our business and our customers. Historically, we have been extremely successful in reaching distribution agreements with our programming partners and avoiding disputes that may affect our customers' viewing experience.

Unfortunately, we have been unable to reach agreements with Salt Lake City-based independent station KJZZ, and Fargo, N.D.-based CBS affiliate KXJB.

KJZZ customers

In the case of KJZZ, the station owner is asking for rates well beyond what is customary and reasonable. By starting down the road of paying such exorbitant fees, we would ultimately change the overall level of our programming costs, which will result in our customers paying more for their service. That is unacceptable, especially in a difficult economic climate.

While KJZZ argues that the value of its programming has increased, it has actually reduced the number of Jazz games it carries by 60 percent. The vast majority of games continue to be available on Fox Sports Net Utah, national outlets or free over-the-air.

We remain willing to carry this channel while both parties negotiate in good faith, but the station owner has forced us to take them down.

To voice your concern to KJZZ, please contact them at (801)537-1414 or visit www.kjzz.com.

[freakazoid]

How so? Are you referring to something else other than this situation?

Umm yeah, I thought that was obvious.

Dishnetwork blacked out Jazz games in Montana up until a month ago.

That's right. We got EVERY FRIGGIN GAME in the nation EXCEPT Jazz games. In Montana.

Same deal north of Seattle, so I've heard from a fan in that state.

DirectTv isn't screwing Jazz fanz. The Utah Jazz are. Otherwise, how could you explain the exact same result form Dishnetwork?

How else could you explain the problems being had by both companies, and the fact the every other team in the NBA is available?

It' straight up bull ****.