HDNet sues DirecTV over new tier pricing

[moonman]

HDNet has filed a 26 page complaint in state district court in Texas alleging breach of contract by Directv for wanting to move HDNet and HDNet movies to the elevated tier of programming. The summary from the complaint is below:

"After using HDNet as the critical lynchpin to establish DRECTV as the industry
leader for high-definition broadcasting, DIRECTV is now embarking on an unlawful campaign to destroy HDNet and to usurp its position in the market. In gross violation of their contractual obligations, Defendants have decided to effectively kill HDNet's viewership by moving the two broadcast package - where the channels are distributed to more than 2,000,000 households - to a newly created obscure and overpriced package that puts the HDNet channels well beyond the reach of the average television viewer. In its place, Defendants seek to feature their own programming and that of their favored partners, Liberty Media Corporation ("Liberty") and entities controlled by Liberty's Chairman, John C. Malone. The Court and jury should not allow such discriminatory and abusive behavior to continue. For Defendants' actions, HDNet seeks emergency injunctive relief, actual and punitive damages, attorney's fees, pre- and postjudgment interest, and costs."


The complaint was filed Friday in the 101st District Court in Dallas. The case number is 07-12962.

[DodgerKing]

Originally Posted by moonman

HDNet has filed a 26 page complaint in state district court in Texas alleging breach of contract by Directv for wanting to move HDNet and HDNet movies to the elevated tier of programming. The summary from the complaint is below:

"After using HDNet as the critical lynchpin to establish DRECTV as the industry
leader for high-definition broadcasting, DIRECTV is now embarking on an unlawful campaign to destroy HDNet and to usurp its position in the market. In gross violation of their contractual obligations, Defendants have decided to effectively kill HDNet's viewership by moving the two broadcast package - where the channels are distributed to more than 2,000,000 households - to a newly created obscure and overpriced package that puts the HDNet channels well beyond the reach of the average television viewer. In its place, Defendants seek to feature their own programming and that of their favored partners, Liberty Media Corporation ("Liberty") and entities controlled by Liberty's Chairman, John C. Malone. The Court and jury should not allow such discriminatory and abusive behavior to continue. For Defendants' actions, HDNet seeks emergency injunctive relief, actual and punitive damages, attorney's fees, pre- and postjudgment interest, and costs."


The complaint was filed Friday in the 101st District Court in Dallas. The case number is 07-12962.

OK....So if the lawsuit passes, then Direct will just add both of these to their regular HD lineup and raise the total price $5. That just means that we will still pay the same price for all of the HD, $15, without the option to pay $5 less for fewer channels.

[mcbeevee]

Originally Posted by moonman

obscure and overpriced package that puts the HDNet channels well beyond the reach of the average television viewer

$4.99/mth is "well beyond the reach"?

[IamMrDJ]

Originally Posted by DodgerKing

OK....So if the lawsuit passes, then Direct will just add both of these to their regular HD lineup and raise the total price $5. That just means that we will still pay the same price for all of the HD, $15, without the option to pay $5 less for fewer channels.

Oh boy I smell another 3-5 threads starting up about this in the next 72 hours.

[MonsonWeather]

after all is said and done they may just cut HDNet from their lineup vs. raising the prices

[tumbleweed]

It should keep us entertained for months, or maybe years depending on how fast the Texas courts are. Well sort of entertained anyway.

[Smthkd]

The problem is this! If HDNet win, which they probably will, those court fees and damages from breach of contract will be eventually sent down the latter to us by way of programming fee increases! So either way we look at it, this is not a good thing!

[moonman]

Originally Posted by DodgerKing

OK....So if the lawsuit passes, then Direct will just add both of these to their regular HD lineup and raise the total price $5.

-------------------
Or, it is what the suit claims: " In its place, Defendants seek to feature their own programming and that of their favored partners, Liberty Media Corporation ("Liberty") and entities controlled by Liberty's Chairman, John C. Malone. "

[Jeffrey99]

Does anybody actually watch HDnet or HDnet Movies? I've never watched HDnet movies and only time I've ever watch HDnet was if there was a NHL game I wanted to watch on.

[IamMrDJ]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey99

Does anybody actually watch HDnet or HDnet Movies? I've never watched HDnet movies and only time I've ever watch HDnet was if there was a NHL game I wanted to watch on.

I recorded My Blue Heaven on HDnet Movies the other night cause I grew up watching that movie and had not seen it in a few years commercial free.

[moonman]

I watch HDNet because of their exclusive H/D coverage of NASA
launches.

[HD-1999]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey99

Does anybody actually watch HDnet or HDnet Movies? I've never watched HDnet movies and only time I've ever watch HDnet was if there was a NHL game I wanted to watch on.

I do, and I don't want to pay extra $5 for what I have now.
DirecTV lied to me that this price increase is ruled by HDNet!

Bravo HDNet!!!

[bruceames]

Bikini Destinations is pretty popular on HDNet. Anyway, somebody has to pay for all this extra HD programming and somebody's going to get the short end of the stick.

[DodgerKing]

Originally Posted by HD-1999

I do, and I don't want to pay extra $5 for what I have now.
DirecTV lied to me that this price increase is ruled by HDNet!

Bravo HDNet!!!

Here we go....

[moonman]

HDNet's sked.
http://www.hd.net/