Viacom may pull Spike from DirecTV, just in time for me to enjoy Impact Wrestling

Is it a) where I do my best thinking, b) where TNA will go if Viacom leaves DirecTV, or c) all of the above?

I feel obligated to link to Prowrestling.net, even though I saw this story on Magnus’ Twitter account while I was on the toilet: Viacom and DirecTV are at each other’s throats about subscriber fees, and Viacom is threatening to pull all 17 of its cable channels from DirecTV, including MTV, all the Nickelodeons, and, yes, Spike, home of TNA Impact Wrestling. I remember a time when I wished a swift, curb-stompy death to TNA, but the post-Russo era has made for pretty good television and, from what I’ve seen through my neighbor’s window, pretty good pay-per-view. Bobby Roode came into his own as a world champion, Austin Aries is being given a run, Bully Ray became the best heel in the business (after Chris Jericho decided to dry up and die), Hulk Hogan, Sting and Kurt Angle found their roles, and even garbage like Robbie E and Garrett Bischoff have followed their paths back down the ladder.

So of course, what happens but TNA’s home network’s parent company threatens to leave a broadcast platform that offers a couple hundred thousand fans, at a time when a 1.0 rating is a time to celebrate. Oops. This sort of posturing and muscle-flexing happens all the time between networks and cable/satellite providers, but the gray cloud still looms. Hey, Dixie, as soon as you decide to scrap the Claire Crackhead storyline, you might want to give Fox a call. They should remember you.

For more on this story from DirecTV’s point of view, go to their sappy video page here. -Eric

3 Responses to “Viacom may pull Spike from DirecTV, just in time for me to enjoy Impact Wrestling”

  1. workmancer 2012-07-10 at 3:09 pm #

    That’s terrible. This is the 2nd time Viacom has done a powerplay like this. I remember a few years ago Viacom wanted more money and some cable providers didn’t want to do it so they let it go….. but DirectV raised their rates $5 per month for Viacom. Sure they do quality programming, but it’s a really dick move. Can’t they just get more money from sponsors?

    • stuntgranny 2012-07-11 at 1:15 pm #

      They could, but I’m sure it’s easier to strong-arm your satellite provider, who lives and dies by the ability to offer decent programming, than it is your advertisers, who can literally advertise anywhere they want. And as usual, the viewers suffer. -E

      • workmancer 2012-07-11 at 1:42 pm #

        All 26 Viacom stations have been taken down. I really don’t even watch TV anymore. I’m happy DirecTV stood up to them to keep us all from paying $5 extra a month. Viacom will suffer more than DirecTV and why can’t Viacom just get extra money from advertisers?

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