Viacom says it decided to pull the plug on some of its online programming after DirecTV suggested its customers watch Viacom content online during the dispute. believes the company's online content is meant to serve as a marketing tool for its partners.
The Right Move?
Viacom's decision to pull some of its online programming may have made sense in the boardroom, but is it fair to restrict online access to two popular Viacom shows for everyone? Public Knowledge, an Internet user advocacy group, doesn't think so. "Viacom has decided to take a service away from all Internet users in its attempt to punish DirecTV," said in a statement. "It is apparent that Viacom puts little stock in the Internet and the online future of video if it is willing to use all Internet users as a pawn in its negotiations."
The Fee Plea
Viacom and DirecTV are currently caught up in a contract dispute over programming fees. Viacom wants DirecTV to pay more money for the 26 Viacom channels DirecTV offers to its subscribers. DirecTV says the content company is asking for too much--about an extra $1 billion over five years, according to .
In a blog post, it is only asking for a "rate increase of a couple pennies per day, per subscriber." Viacom argues the new fee is reasonable given the popularity of Viacom content among DirecTV subscribers. The top channel on DirecTV is Nickelodeon and at any given time about 20 percent of DirecTV subscribers are watching Viacom content, according to .
New Trend
Disagreements between cable providers and content companies are all the rage right now. Dish, another satellite provider, dumped AMC Networks from its lineup in July over contract disputes including channels such as AMC, IFC, Sundance, and WE tv. That means Dish subscribers may be out of luck when the popular show Breaking Bad returns for a fifth season on Sunday. AT&T also had a dispute with AMC in July, but the companies were able to resolve the disagreement without disrupting service for AT&T U-Verse customers, according to .
DirecTV's previous agreement with Viacom expired Wednesday.
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