No Dallas Mavericks on Directv Stream!

I like many others would love the freedom to choose the exact channels we get. Unfortunately, because of companies that own many channels (local affiliates like Nexstar, Mission and nationwide bigwigs like Disney and Viacom), that channels are bundled to TV providers which means bundling to us. That is how the industry is current setup.

So TV providers get the best bundle agreements they can. In turn we consumers choose the service and package that best matches our interests and budget. Individual owners (Mavs, Disney, etc.) are pushing for their personal streaming option for those that want very specific content. Problem is adding enough of those to get the variety of full providers you risk exceeding the cost and deal with many different interfaces which may not be as convenient (and of differing quality). There is no ideal setup available that fits consumer, TV provider, and the content owners. At least not now anyway. Will be a long time before someone implements an option that disrupts that, shall we say "status quo", of the industry.

I doubt they are underestimating the desire of sports fans. They (the fans) show it every time a channel owner withholds the feed to upset them to lever higher costs during negotiations. I would expect they are looking into the option of the channel for their streaming services, but as normal will not say anything unless they actually get it. I get that lack of information is frustrating for fans.

One thing is that is not just a channel for the Mavericks but is a local channel. So it would not be just added for the fans (such as an al-a-carte option), but forced upon all who live in the market and the cost added to all customers (even if they don't live there).

Time will tell if they get the channel or not added to the streaming side. Either way there is not the "right thing" for all customers. It will either be a good thing for Mav fans or everybody else (with some non-fans who because they are in the local area being on either side of this issue).

DIRECTV is working with TEGNA to possibly add the Mavs games for streaming customers too. Ariane, DIRECTV Community Specialist

Ariane, thanks for the update. I hope DirecTV Stream can reach an agreement before losing too many more customers.

Awesome an official response outside the historical standard!

There you have it. DirecTV is working/discussing/negotiating with the affiliate owner (Tegna) for the streaming side. Not a guarantee they will get it, but certainly a more likely outcome.

Just remember this when you see future price adjustments. Gaining new channels, or existing channels go through carriage negotiations (some like pulling their feed from DirecTV and other providers when sports are in full swing), are key factors in rising costs. Some are ok with that as they get more of the content they want, but others not so much if they don't want that content or live in a different market so couldn't get it anyway.

Just FYI, if we don't get this, the only other option is purchasing the MAVS TV at $15 per month.

There are many customers I suspect that would prefer if Mav fans paid $15 a month for the channel instead of any cost adding to those who do not want to watch the channel (or cannot if they aren't in market to begin with), even if it is much cheaper per customer. This is because local channels are charged across the board instead of per account or market area, so local channel increases (including acquiring a new channel) affect the costs for everyone when it is time for a price adjustment.

To be clear, not against people getting the channel/programming they want. I just think too many don't consider how their wants (demands for some others who act like they are entitled to the content) affect other customers.

Imagine the impact of a decision to not carry channels that broadcast Cowboys games. Marketing strategies have to ensure that the desirability of their product ensures a market share and weigh that against the cost of delivering the product.

Some companies do that efficiently and build a customer base, other don't and lose customers. Fighting over pennies while losing dollars is not a winning business strategy.

Doesn't matter if Mavericks, Cowboys, or some other team. It is not a sports channel but a local affiliate which means that acquiring it impacts all customers on cost. If it were a specific Regional Sports Network (RSN) then it would only impact customers in that region, though would still include customers who wouldn't watch it.

My point is, many other customers do not want their bills to increase for channels they wouldn't watch (or cannot watch if they are not in the viewing market). But that doesn't matter to those making the demand as they are perfectly fine adding expense to others as long as they get what they want.

If you keep wanting to focus on the implication that DIRECTV STREAM is doomed or their business strategy is losing because they don't currently have a local affiliate channel the Mavericks are on, that is up to you to think this viewer group is the make it/break it for them. We will just have to agree to disagree on the perspective, regardless if they get an agreement or not with Tegna to add the channel to the STREAM service.

So your message is "Everything DirecTV does is fine." My message is "You lost 1.8 million customers last year. Do better."

Nice statistic reporting! Thanks for sharing. 

So your message is "Everything DirecTV does is fine."

That is absolutely NOT my message. You appear to want it to be because I don't demand that your preferred channel must be carried and so speak to them being doomed if the don't.

I am saying there is no obligation to provide the channel. You are not entitled to it. there are customers who don't want it because they don't watch it yet would have to pay for it if acquired (as cost for locals is not charged per area but spread over all customers).

I am not saying if they should get the channel or not. I am pointing out there are more factors at play than just your demands. I will say don't complain at the next price adjustment because demands for channels to be carried, or to bring back "NOW!" when a local affiliate pulls during carriage negotiations, are big parts of rising costs (of any TV provider).

Super disappointed. I felt as I was falsely advertised. I was not aware it was for satellite people only and not for those with streaming. Please fix this DirectTV. I upgraded my account in order to get this channel committing to a 2-year agreement to find out I don't have the channel because I have streaming service.

Here is another thing I have found.  I signed up for MAVSTV.com while I am waiting on the negotiations.  I can't mirror my Iphone to the Directv stream box.  I haven't called support yet but this will be another disappointment!

FYI…If you add the NBA app to your tv, the Mav's game can be watched through this app until Mavs Tv is up and running.