Tell DirecTV how you feel about not getting Pac-12 games

Five weeks ago I started telling DirecTV that I wanted them to offer the Pac-12 Network now.

I've emailed customer service. I've had the Pac-12 channel finder notify DirecTV that I want to see every Oregon and Oregon State football game this season, not just the ones on channels (like ESPN) DirecTV does offer.

Four weeks ago I blogged about how DirecTV's excuses for shutting its subscribers out of the Pac-12 Network were annoying. 

They're much more annoying now.

Last Saturday I missed the Oregon State-Arizona game, which, when I read about it in the freaking newspaper the next day, turned out to have been tremendously exciting. Also, tremendously satisfying for us Oregonians, since OSU pulled out a win with a touchdown in the last few minutes.

I've read the DirecTV statement that they're ready to offer the games once they get a "fair deal" from the Pac-12 Network. Well, I'm sure the Pac-12 Network is a greedy corporate bastard, just as DirecTV is. 

But other "cable" systems, like Dish, DirecTV's satellite competitor, have managed to work out a deal with the Pac-12 Network that they found acceptable. So this holier-than-thou talk about fairness isn't cutting it with me.

Next Saturday I'm slated to miss another important Oregon State game against Washington State that's only being televised on the Pac-12 Network.

DirecTV customer service said in an email to me, "the vast majority of games, and those with the most conference or national title implications, will instead be televised by the ESPN family of networks and ABC Sports, FOX Sports and FSN, FX, CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network, NBC Sport and NBC Sports Network, and several other regional services, all of which are available on DIRECTV."

Hey, DirecTV: that's a lie.

Oregon currently is ranked #2 in the country; Oregon State #14. Both are undefeated. Thus every football game they play, every one, has important conference and national title implications.

So show the games!

Work out a deal with the Pac-12 Network like your competitors have. Every day you don't is another day that your subscribers who are Pac-12 fans are cursing you when, once again, they miss a game that is important to them.

I'm about to tell the DirecTV Corporate Office what I've just said in this blog post. Click here to express your own feelings. (Or the link at the top of this page, if that one doesn't work.)

Obviously DirecTV isn't getting a strong enough message from its disgruntled subscribers, or they'd have done the same sort of Pac-12 deal that Dish and others have accepted. (At the moment, reports are that no deal is in the works -- deeply irritating.)

I like DirecTV, so I'm reluctant to cancel and jump ship to the Dish Network. But if this ridiculous pissing match with the Pac-12 Network goes on much longer, I'm going to be seriously tempted to say goodbye to DirecTV.

Comments

[Lango6]

DirecTV's failure to cut a deal with the Pac-12 has been a boon of sorts for local sports bars at least here in Salem (having the Ducks/Cougars on at the same time made it interesting and more crowded). Sam's was standing room only and I got the last stool at the Battle Creek 19th Hole. While I fully echo your sentiments as a long-time subscriber, I have to say--being somewhat of a homebody--that it was a refreshing change of pace being in a public place with.all those other Beavers/Ducks fans.

I'm not likely to switch since I've had Dish in the past and I much prefer DirecTV, but I have sent them a couple of requests and I've received pretty much the same responses. Fortunately, I won't miss the WSU game since I'll be there and if the Beavers they win by as much as they should (hold or improve their ranking), my guess is that much of the rest of the season (except the Nichols State game) will get picked up by the established networks.

Nevertheless, I find DirecTV's behavior reprehensible. They seem to be taking their Pac-12 area customers for granted and are choosing the use them as a bargaining chip instead of serving them. Short of a massive subscriber churn, I don't see them relenting given their public statements and for the time being, I won't be a contributor to that influence.

[Doug Faught]

Direct TV calls me once week to see if I am happy with the programing. I rip thier ass on a regular basis,they dont give a crap...lots of freebies but no Pac 12. I told them i never get any money back when I pay for programs that they take of for weeks at atime in disputes with providers. sorry is all get ready to mae a move to DISH.

[John]

yes get the Pac 12 network to Directv asap!!

[Marvin Regensberg]

Dear Pac 12 and Direct TV. You both are dispickable, greedy and lack charcater. I have been with Direct TV for 17 years and I would buy an extra package to watch Arizona Basketball every November for the past 17 years. You both make me sick. How much money do you both need? Maybe you both should both just go to hell.
M. Regensberg

[adam]

This is unbelievably rediculous because some Jack a.. decided to put the civil war on pac12 network half of Oregon wont be able to watch the game between number 5- and number 16 this game should be nationally televised thanks greedy bastards from directv and charter and package 12 network hope u guys lose a few million subscribers

[NORMAN MCCREIGHT]

ALL I CAN SAY, WITH OVER 8 YEARS OF DIRECT TV.
YOU SUCK.
THE SYSTEM GOES DOWN, MANY TIMES A MONTH, YET NO COMPENSATION, AND NOW THIS YEAR THE PAC 12 GAMES ARE A NO SHOW!
DIRECT TV WILL BEGIN LOSING MANY DUCK FANS AN ALUM WITH THIS PISS POOR EFFORT OF OREGON FOOTBALL COVERAGE.
PUDDLES ll

[Brandy]

direct tv you SUCK. People pay GOOD MONEY for your network then you take away ALL the channels that DID SHOW the CIVIL WAR GAME. REALLY?????? You should be "ASHAMED" of yourself !!!!! THANKS FOR NOTHING---but I am sure YOU WILL BE THE "BIGGEST LOSERS" WHEN PEOPLE WHO PAY FOR YOUR SERVICE--"DROP YOU LIKE A BAD HABIT"!!!

[michael]

direct tv you suck i'm gone as soon as one can !!!!!

[David Smith]

10 years I have been with DTV this is B.s get it or i am gone!! Hello Dish network here I come!!!

[ralph ramos]

10 more months of contract with direct tv and i am going to dish so i can get pac 12

[Sam]

This has to be one of the most annoying situations for a PAC 12 fan. Direct TV does not care about us! All they want is to make money with their sorry programming. I've been a customer for a long time. I'm almost at the point where I'll change providers if the PAC 12 channel does not go on Direct TV.

Sam

[J.D.]

I'm not sure I follow any of this. Why does Direct TV need it have it affordable to "Everyone"? Is the NFL package affordable to everyone? No, in fact it's competly overpriced...so I'm not sure what the justification is to say these words:

----DIRECTV wants to make Pac-12 Network available to the fans who want it. To do that, Pac 12 either needs to agree to a price to make it affordable for all of our customers, as we’ve offered and done with dozens of other sports networks, or allow Pac 12 fans to buy the network separately or purchase individual games on demand. Unfortunately, Pac 12 has refused all of these options. Regardless, we stand ready to agree to add the network if they propose a deal that’s fair.-----

Are you telling me that if I change to another cable company that has PAC 12, I just get it and don't have to pay for it like I pay for the NFL package? I don't think that's the case...make it affordable to everyone?? I'm sure "Everyone" doesn't want it...we do, but not my neighbor.

It's real simple: These 2 bodies are trying to make as much money as possible. Fine, that's how it works here, but if PAC 12 doesn't charge a fair price, Direct TV won't get it and I won't be paying a fair price for it...no money for PAC 12, no money for Direct TV and I have to hope to the the Bruins play on some other channel.

I'm sorry, didn't I start this out with "Trying to make money"????? Hey, nice work to both parties. Idiots...enjoy your multi-million dollar bonus checks.