It was only a matter of time. DirecTV, which has been on a media blitz since it failed to secure a fresh carriage agreement with The Walt Disney Co. prior to the September 1 expiry deadline, has submitted a “Good Faith Negotiation Complaint” with the FCC.
The move came on Saturday, a day full of exciting NCAA collegiate football games, and ahead of Monday Night Football season opener on September 9. The matchup, which sees the New York Jets visit the San Francisco 49ers, will not be accessible to any DirecTV subscriber.
But, that’s just the tip of a large iceberg that could arguably sink DirecTV, or torpedo retrans negotiations as we’ve known them.