DIRECTV Pulls Jessica Simpson HD Ads

[Poke]

Probably Not the only thing Direct is make false claims about.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/directvpullsad121606.htm

Time Warner sued the satcaster for allegedly making false claims about its high-def picture quality.

By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (December 16, 2006) -- DIRECTV has agreed to pull a commercial starring Jessica Simpson that said the satcaster offered the best High-Definition TV picture on the market.

The decision was made after cable operator Time Warner sued the satcaster, saying it made a false claim regarding the picture quality.

DIRECTV also agreed to stop running advertisements saying that Time Warner subscribers would not be able to watch games carried by the NFL Network if their local teams were playing. Time Warner has refused to carry the NFL Network, saying it's asking for too much money.



But Time Warner's lawsuit said the ads did not explain that NFL Network games will be carried by local channels if your local teams are playing. For instance, the December 30 game between the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins will be broadcast on WNBC in New York as well as The NFL Network.

Multichannel News reports that Judge Laura Taylor Swain has accepted an agreement between Time Warner and DIRECTV regarding the ad withdrawal. However, Time Warner is still seeking monetary damages for the ads.

In its lawsuit, Time Warner said it provides "exactly the same screen resolution" as DIRECTV's HDTV picture, although Simpson said in the commercial that "you're not going to get the best picture out of some fancy big-screen TV without DIRECTV."

 

[Hall]

Seems that DirecTV knew if they got into a technical "examination" of their HD channels vs TWC's HD channels, they knew they'd lose.

What exactly does "best picture" mean ?? That could be open to vast interpretations by people.

 

[Proc]

I saw the commercial an hour ago so it hasn't been pulled yet.

 

[FlyingJ]

You guys are so naieve! IT wasn't about if they would lose, it was about the fact that they got the ads in, the message across loud and clear for as long as they could and considered it a victory. You are pretty much free to say anything you want when it comes to best of anything and seldom do lawsuits change that. Mission accomplished, on to the next ads.

 

[Hall]

Unless people signed up for D* between them running the ads and now, yeah, D* won that small battle. Now though, the newspaper articles will tell how D* has been forced to stop running the ads. People can easily guess "false advertising ??".

 

[digiblur]

In its lawsuit, Time Warner said it provides "exactly the same screen resolution" as DIRECTV's HDTV picture, although Simpson said in the commercial that "you're not going to get the best picture out of some fancy big-screen TV without DIRECTV."

Time Warner admitted they are running bit starved 1280X1080i channels? WOW!

 

[Jimbo]

I would like to see that ad in 1080i, every time I have seen the ad it's been in SD.
I saw it earlier today as well.

I did not think that the add mentioned TW at all, I may have missed it, butseeing if TW was not mentioned, why would, it bother them unless they know they are not at the same PQ as D*.

Wouldn't you think ALL TV providers would jump on this lawsuit, if it is so blatant....

I think that TW has it in for D* or at least they don't get along, it seems like wasted money to me.

Jimbo

 

[digiblur]

I would like to see that ad in 1080i, every time I have seen the ad it's been in SD.
I saw it earlier today as well.

I did not think that the add mentioned TW at all, I may have missed it, butseeing if TW was not mentioned, why would, it bother them unless they know they are not at the same PQ as D*.

Wouldn't you think ALL TV providers would jump on this lawsuit, if it is so blatant....

I think that TW has it in for D* or at least they don't get along, it seems like wasted money to me.

Jimbo

I thought it was misleading and not even true. I know for a fact as I've seen D* and my local cable co's HD side by side, and the cable co's HD wins hands down. The local cable co is running full 1920X1080i HD with only 2 HD channels on one QAM256 mux which has about 40mbps of bandwidth. D* is sometimes packing 3 HD channels on one of their 30mbps mux's. No contest there....

 

[vurbano]

You guys are so naieve! IT wasn't about if they would lose, it was about the fact that they got the ads in, the message across loud and clear for as long as they could and considered it a victory. You are pretty much free to say anything you want when it comes to best of anything and seldom do lawsuits change that. Mission accomplished, on to the next ads.

You really are the ultimate fanboy. Lie and decieve the consumer, whatever it takes as long as you get away with it. And to top it off charge them a fortune in cancellation charges. You really do disgust me with your attitude.

 

[Plywodstatebum]

I just saw the commercial a few min. ago, so I guess they didn't pull it here in Fl.

 

[moonman]

I just saw the commercial a few min. ago, so I guess they didn't pull it here in Fl.

Saw it on FoMad tv) at 11:30 PM as well...guess it's just a rumor.

 

[hdtvtechno]

Maybe in 72 or 48 hours ? maybe they have a time line

 

[FlyingJ]

You really are the ultimate fanboy. Lie and decieve the consumer, whatever it takes as long as you get away with it. And to top it off charge them a fortune in cancellation charges. You really do disgust me with your attitude.

If I did anything except disgust you I would really be dissapointed. I may be the ultimate fan boy. I can still see the plan and I am happy with what I am getting for now knowing what is coming. You on the other hand are the ultimate idiot. You are very unhappy with what you are paying for yet continue to pay and complain when there are other options. You are the one that did so many so called upgrades that cost you a fortune. You are responsible for that. D* did not tell you to. They did not force you to. Once again, if I didn't disgust you I would be unhappy with myself. If we took a pathetic pol here Vurbano, believe me you would win hands down. That is what TV advertising is. Chunky Soup says their soup is great. Who are you to say it isn't? Coke says it is better than Pepsi, prove it's not.

 

[LonghornXP]

I also just got word directly from the AG of New Hampshire that any new DirecTV customer who ordered DirecTV HD service during the running of those ads is entitled to a full refund of all programming charges, any installation fees, all hardware costs along with the 2 year agreement being null and void based on New Hampshire's Consumer Protection Laws. You can also require DirecTV to pick up all your hardware and restore your existing connections back to your old provider all at no extra cost as well. You will need to call DirecTV and tell them this information and if they don't handle your case you can file a complaint at that point with the AG of New Hampshire. If New Hampshire gets enough complaints the state will start a class action lawsuit against DirecTV along with charging DirecTV in criminal court for entering into a legal contract without complying with New Hampshire's Consumer Protection Laws. Yes in New Hampshire that is considered a criminal charge. If DirecTV didn't charge upfront for the hardware and also didn't require a term agreement this wouldn't be an issue. But because they charge upfront for the HD box and also require a two year term agreement it violates the consumer protection laws clear and simple.

 

[FlyingJ]

I was under the impression that in NH these terms existed for a period of time even without the ads being run. Oh and my real question is, Why would anyone be happy about them having to pull the ads etc...especially someone with D*. The only reason this would ever be posted here is so that a E* or cable sub would feel good posting about a D* problem. I don't recall any posts in this forum or in the E* forum from D* subs happy about E* losing their distants....etc... Just made Poke feel better about his decisions...lol

 

[cybok0]

Saw it on FoMad tv) at 11:30 PM as well...guess it's just a rumor.

I just saw it yesterday, 2 different versions. On one version they took out 1080i comment.

 

[iceturkee]

cbs just ran the ad at 2:18 pm during the jags-titans came.......i'm drying clothes, couldn't hear all of the commercial but i did hear her mention 1080i!!

and good the attorney general. hope more states follow suit!!

 

[charper1]

I have seen it 2 or 3 time already today; seems maybe a slight wording edit. Still mentions 1080i but nothing about cable. Its not like anything about this make any real differences; cable, car companies, burgers, etc all make plays on words to say something that sounds untrue. Its all based on perspective and what data / survey they are using to back any claims.

I can't count the number of different companies I have read and heard making the comment "we have the best (fill in the blank) anywhere around."

Is all word play. No one but the "criers" really cares.

 

[MikeD-C05]

Just saw it on Fox in Houston channel 26 kriv and they clearly mentioned that the shows are broadcast in 1080i and that you wouldn't get the best picture on your big hd tv unless you had Directv hd. So when are they pulling the advertisement?

 

[scotsmanron]

I'm watching the Fox NFL games off of the west coast feed and it is still showing on there about every five minutes. Good Grief!!! Nothings changed.

As to why we would be happy the D* is forced to change....they can't advertise what they can't do. So if they want to continue to advertise this way they need to get up to speed don't they?