The negotiations between News Corporation and DirecTV over the compensation for the latter’s carriage of the former’s cable channels were getting increasingly testy, with 11/1/11 looming as an ultimatum date. But as so often happens, disruption of service was avoided as the two parties came to terms.
And also as usual, terms were not released.
Here is the joint statement issued by the two companies:
Fox Networks and DIRECTV have reached an agreement for DIRECTV to continue carrying all Fox Networks (including FX, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, SPEED, FUEL TV, FOX Soccer, FOX Soccer Plus and FOX Deportes), Fox’s regional sports networks, Fox Broadcasting (FOX), the FOX local stations, Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network. We both know the past ten days have been challenging, but we’re pleased that both sides could eventually come together to ensure our viewers continue to enjoy Fox programming.”
RBR-TVBR observation: Big companies that are used to getting their way play hardball, and run the clock down to the final seconds – or in this case, hours. It’s business – and there is no way that government intervention would have made this negotiation go any better.
