Viacom Acts Dickish, While AMC Accommodates Fans

How should you handle difficult negotiations? The world of television is currently offering a great contrast between good and bad choices so exaggerated it could be a Goofus and Gallant comic.

Viacom and DirecTV are in conflict, so DirecTV (for the moment) isn't carrying a variety of Viacom stations, including Comedy Central and Nickelodeon. In response, Viacom has pulled online versions of the shows (like The Daily Show and The Colbert Report) offline. To add insult to injury, before you find out the content is missing, Viacom forces you to watch a long, angry message urging you to harass DirecTV. Uncool.

In contrast, AMC networks is also in conflict with Dish Networks. Dish has removed AMC just in time to stiff fans of the show Breaking Bad, as a way of holding AMC hostage. AMC is taking the fan-friendly approach of allowing fans to pre-register for a live stream of the show's season 5 premier. Do we have to tell you which company is being a dick about this?