Local channel dropped from lineup

Agreement between the two is coming up, negotiations start.

Local affiliate owns the broadcast rights.

Carriage agreement date is reached.

Affiliate could choose to keep channel on while negotiating in good faith.

Instead, affiliate chooses to withhold channel as is their right.

DirecTV's choice is to give in to demands, further raising bills, or further negotiate.

Many of us didn't go to pay TV for our free locals. So I suggest using a regular over-the-air (OTA) antenna in the meantime. May even get other channels in range that DirecTV cannot provide you, such as sub-channels.

Each company is trying to get the best deal they can. They are not public services or charities so have no obligation to provide you any specific feature guaranteed. But a better deal for DirecTV is a better deal for us customers. Why should it keep affecting higher bills from our locals that are free through regular antenna?

Thanks for your informed explanation. I am fully aware of the process and how that works. I don’t expect something for free. Living in a rural area, my ONLY option is using a rebroadcast provider like DTV due to terrain and distance issues, as well as lack of affordable broadband to stream. As the consumer with few options, my neighbors are at the mercy of their negotiators and am left with even fewer options as a result. I don’t like being a customer in the middle. I have complained to my local affiliate as well.

If you are so rural where satellite TV is the only option, that certainly makes it tough. That is why I originally got DirecTV myself. Though there are now a couple other options, for my household they are still the best option still but nice to know I have alternatives if ever needed.

In most cases these negotiations resolve before too long. So enjoy your other channels in the meantime.

As a side note since you are so rural, hopefully you are already setup with MEPG-4 equipment. I would be concerned if you still had MPEG-2/SD-only (which is in the process of shutting down) and had terrain, trees, etc. that would have difficulty with the MPEG-4 feed.

For more info on channel negotiations:

TV Promise - DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, U-verse TV (att.com)

Normally you could put in your zip code to check on specifics for your area, but websites are going through updating right now with the new co-owner for DirecTV.

Hi @rdulac Thanks for bringing that to our attention.
We understand channel messaging/suspensions can be very frustrating and we also know how important many channels are to our valued customers.
Please visit https://direc.tv/2WTXu5H for all the latest updates about the issue.
Thanks for your comprehension.
Daniela, DIRECTV Community Specialist. 

Thank you for your comments and suggestions.

@DIRECTVhelp 

Daniela, that is the website I posted. The forum reformatted the URL to a title to show.

I am concerned as the one you show says direct.tv which usually means a fake website as it is DirecTV with no space, dot, double T, etc. Just something to be careful of so other customers are not accidently mislead.

@rdulac I'm glad to know this information was useful. Don't hesitate in reaching back to us if you have further inquiries.
Daniela, DIRECTV Community Specialist.