Raycom announced Monday its 53 stations, including WBRC in Birmingham, WBTV in Charlotte, WVUE in New Orleans and WOIO in Cleveland, had been dropped on DirecTV:
For three months Raycom Media has been working with DirecTV to resolve this issue, so that DirecTV may continue to lawfully provide local news, weather sports and network programming to our viewers.
Because we have been unable to reach an agreement with DirecTV, Raycom Media stations are no longer available to DirecTV customers after August 31st, 2014.
AdvertisementAccording to Raycom Media President and CEO Paul McTear, “This is frustrating for DirecTV customers who rely on Raycom stations for information and entertainment. We share their frustration and are committed to doing everything we can to resolve this issue and have been for the last 12 weeks of discussions.”
DirecTV, meanwhile, has promised to provide NFL games to Raycom customers during the blackout:
Raycom Media is denying DIRECTV customers and some of its own most loyal viewers access to its local broadcast stations unless they pay more than double just to receive the same broadcast shows that remain available over the air for free. We will always work to protect our customers and prevent them from enduring any unnecessary interruptions, no matter how brief. We appreciate their patience since it has a direct impact on their bill. Despite Raycom’s unnecessary blackout, NFL and college football fans can see all of the first few week’s action uninterrupted, and the majority of ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC series won’t premiere for several more weeks.