Fox Takes DirecTV Carriage War To L.A. Occasions Sports Page

Having a November 1 deadline pending, News Corp. today bought a complete-page ad within the La Occasions sports section warning DirecTV clients the satcaster was poised to decrease nine systems if Fox’s dispute with DirecTV isn’t settled by month’s finish. The entire-color ad featured the heavy-handed banner ‘GAME OVER’ together with game pictures of USC Trojan viruses and UCLA Bruins football and La Nobleman and Anaheim Ducks ice hockey, which are threatened if the regional sports systems Fox Sports West and Prime Ticketbe dropped. The ad then lists the systems that DirecTV could pressure to visit dark: FS West, Prime Ticket, Forex, Speed, National Geographic Funnel, Fox Soccer, Fox Deportes, Fuel TV and Fox Movie Funnel. “And soon,” the advertisement continues, “you may even lose Fox 11 and My 13,” particularly focusing on audiences in Los Angeles. The Occasions ad then implores sports fans to “Get direct with DirecTV” by visiting KeepMyNets.com or calling 866-KEEP-MY-NETS. As reported Thursday by Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva, DirecTV claims in the statement that Fox is seeking a 40% rise in its license costs.