Having worked for Cablevision a number of years back, and having been let go by them, there's no love lost between us. I was unimpressed with Jim Dolan from the first time I met him. Let's just say he's not a commanding presence. Now, with that said, I have to still side with them in this latest contract fiasco with Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, the owner of Fox and My9. It's a classic case of corporate greed where the biggest losers will be, of course, the consumer.
News Corp wants to extort a huge sum of money from Cablevision for the right to air its programming. I could give the figures and the comparisons to other broadcasters. Suffice it to say that it far exceeds the amount charged by any other broadcaster. In fact, it equals a number of them combined. From my understanding, Cablevision has made a number of counter offers. News Corp is not taking. Cablevision has agreed to binding arbitration. News Corp has not. Cablevision offered to keep Fox and 9 on the air while negotiating. Fox pulled their programming. Are you getting the picture? News Corp has stonewalled every attempt at mediation. In classic Murdoch fashion, News Corp is playing hardball, using their leverage to dig in their heels. They have the NY Giants. They have the World Series, for cryin' out loud! That gives them clout. They also encourage people to choose alternatives like satellites and the Internet. However, keep in mind, they may be viable alternatives for now, but just for now. Believe me, when their contracts expire with News Corp, ol' Rupert will pull the same thing.
As always, the ultimate issue is about money. Because the internet has so radically changed the broadcast industry (and not for the better), broadcasters (like News Corp) have got to find new ways to create revenue. But they also see these contract renewals with cable providers as a last chance to grab the big bucks from, what some see, as a dying industry.
Also, people send their money to the cable providers so they are often seen as the villains. It's where their hard earned cash goes, not to Fox. Shitty customer service hasn't help. They are often seen as faceless, unseen drones who plug in some wires, take your money and then disappear. For years Cable Service providers held exclusive franchise rights in most areas, adding to the feeling that didn't have to care. The industry has been fighting that image for years.
But in this case, on balance, they seem to the ones at lease willing to compromise on some level. News Corp has not budged. I think it's part of Rupert Murdoch's mad plan to dominate all media and, then, the world!
Ultimately, the biggest losers will be US, the consumers. Cablevision is NOT that altruistic! They will not eat whatever cost they final settle on with News Corp. They'll pass it on - to us!! The best we can hope for is that News Corp does eventually comprises and comes down in their demands.
In the meantime, I'm living well without Fox. The Giants are on Mondays Night Football (ESPN). The Yankees have been eliminated from the playoffs, so screw the World Series. And I can watch "Family Guy" on TBS or Comedy Central.
So," Mr. Czar of All Media" Murdoch, I'm doing just fine without Fox. If fact, I think better: you can't get a dime out of me now!
Photo: F LoBuono
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