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Viacom Pulls Online Videos Over DirecTV Dispute

12.07.2012
has stopped streaming recent full episodes of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and the Colbert Report on Viacom-owned sites as part of the company's widening dispute with satellite cable provider DirecTV. The popular comedy shows are still available on sites such as Hulu.com, but Viacom pulled recent full episodes from its own sites in an attempt to put pressure on the satellite TV provider. Viacom still has about 4,500 older full episodes online for streaming, and show clips are still available. Both The Daily Show and The Colbert Report are currently on summer hiatus.

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 .