MSG HD is Coming

[Caps09]

Here's the press release on "official letterhead"- http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2011/verizon-fios-tv-subscribers.html

[Caps09]

This is getting kind of comical now- http://www.multichannel.com/article/476834-Cablevision_Files_Suit_Against_FCC_Media_Bureau_Over_MSG_...

Cablevision and MSG are requesting an emergency stay by the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit of the MO&O from the FCC. This is the same court that denied the emergency stay of the Media Bureau's ruling, and denied a request to move this to another court. If they denied the stay for the same thing last week, what makes them think they'll give them a stay this time?

Maybe they're just going through the motions though. They're going to appeal and appeal, why not ask for a stay...

The Dolans are simply a disgrace. Too bad the Cablevision subscribers have to pay for their legal squabbling so customers can continue to be given less choices for video providers.

[Caps09]

The latest rumor from a dependable source is that MSG HD and MSG+ HD will arrive the second week of December. Not sure if this means the week of the 5th or the 12th. Either way, good news for NY fans, and right on track with the announcement from Verizon earlier this week.

[prisaz]

Just because they must provide MSG HD, that does that mean VZ must pay the asking price. Does this mean that the HD version is to be supplied for free, at no additional cost? Perhaps I am missing something here. Could this not be stretched out a but longer?

I have had contractors say sure we can give you a not to exceed price right now. Not to exceed a million dollars. Etc etc...

[Caps09]

Good question- the FCC order required MSG and Verizon to enter into a carriage agreement at comparable terms that MSG HD is offered to other providers. The deal was to have been done before the end of October. Since no one has said anything about it, we can assume that the deal has been made, and just waiting on the HD signal to be provided. Verizon is most likely waiting on the feed so they can get it into the network and "groom" the channels into the lineup, making it live by mid-December.

I read the appeal, and it's a joke. Cablevision and MSG are relying on the same arguments they made over and over, that the FCC exceeded its jurisdiction and the order violates the first amendment. In my opinion, there's no way they'll get a stay for the same thing they were turned down for in the same month by the same court.

[Caps09]

Unfortunately, there will be yet another delay. The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has stayed the FCC order until December 13, which seems to be a move by the court to give itself time for the same panel to hear this one. If this is the case, it's a good move because if the same judges hear this motion, they are already familiar with it and can deny the stay without oral argument. A hearing by the same panel is actually what the FCC made a motion for this time. It will take a couple weeks before the court gets around to it, but after that, it can be denied quickly.

Unfortunately, this does give Cablevision and MSG another way to stall and not provide the HD feeds on Friday as the Commission had ordered.

[sinz]

Can't believe there is yet another delay...

With Cablevision not giving us HD and triggering commercials during play in hockey games, they certainly did not make it to my list of things I am thankful for this year

[prisaz]

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@sinz wrote:

Can't believe there is yet another delay...

With Cablevision not giving us HD and triggering commercials during play in hockey games, they certainly did not make it to my list of things I am thankful for this year

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I think along with Cablevision, Activevideo is looking to stick it to Verizon. So it is an anti competitive market war. When did Verizon all of a sudden start violating these patents? Like when dirt is dug up on a politician by another politician. The other politician being Cablevision.

http://www.activevideo.com/pr_story.php?id=135

[sinz]

Wooow those ActiveVideo patents are nasty!

This is going to be interesting to follow, it could have a very big impact on all cable providers with VOD services. 

[tns]

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@prisaz wrote:

I think along with Cablevision, Activevideo is looking to stick it to Verizon. So it is an anti competitive market war. When did Verizon all of a sudden start violating these patents? Like when dirt is dug up on a politician by another politician. The other politician being Cablevision.

http://www.activevideo.com/pr_story.php?id=135

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Activevideo probably claims always.  They filed the suit in May 2010.  Won a judgement in Aug 2011.

If Verizon cannot come up with a way to avoid violating the patents or overturning the judgement, they will probably jus work to come to a licensing agreement.  I wonder what other systems violate this as most VOD over the Internet is similarly delivered.   I see they show Cablevision, Time Warner as customers as well as some content providers.

http://www.activevideo.com/customers.php