You Come First
DIRECTV is committed to bringing you the best TV experience, at the right cost.
When disputes arise with programmers over their rising fees, this site will keep you up-to-date with the latest information.
Why This Happens
Here's what you should know about disputes with networks.
Learn MoreSwitching Isn't the Answer
Every TV provider faces disputes with programmers over excessive fee increases. When customers switch providers during disputes, it only makes it easier for programmers to demand whatever they like and increase your monthly bill no matter who your TV provider is.
Current and Recent Industry Disputes
DISH Network and AMC Networks
DISH Networks will drop all four of AMC Network’s cable channels if they cannot come to a rate agreement in June 2012. These channels include AMC, the Independent Film Channel, WE TV and Sundance Channel.
Midcontinent Communications and Prime Cities Broadcasting
Midcontinent Communications and Prime Cities Broadcasting
In Apr, 2012, Prime Cities Broadcasting pulled their FOX (KNDX, K38HA, K38HS, KXND) signals in North Dakota from Midcontinent Communications. The channels have not yet been restored.
DISH Network and AMC Networks DISH Network and Morgan Murphy Media DISH Network and Morgan Murphy Media
In Mar. 2012, Morgan Murphy Media pulled their ABC signals in Yakima (Ch. 44) and Spokane (Ch. 4) from DISH Network. After a 24-hour blackout, the stations were restored.
Midcontinent Communications and Prime Cities Broadcasting DISH Network and Bayou City Broadcasting DISH Network and Bayou City Broadcasting
In Feb. 2012, Bayou City Broadcasting pulled FOX signals in Abilene (Ch. 6) and San Angelo (Ch. 6) from DISH Network. After a 9-day blackout, the stations were restored.
DISH Network and Morgan Murphy Media DISH Network and Louisiana Media DISH Network and Louisiana Media
In Feb. 2012, Louisiana Media pulled their FOX (Ch. 8) signal in New Orleans from DISH Network. After a 30-day blackout, the station was restored.
DISH Network and Bayou City Broadcasting DISH Network and Turner Broadcasting DISH Network and Turner Broadcasting
In Jan. 2012, Turner Broadcasting pulled their Peachtree TV (Ch. 17) signal in Atlanta from DISH Network. The channel has not yet been restored.
DISH Network and Louisiana Media Verizon FiOS and Newport Television
Verizon FiOS and Newport Television
In Jan. 2012, Newport Television pulled local stations from Syracuse, Albany and Harrisburg from Verizon FiOS. After a 2-day blackout, the stations were restored.
DISH Network and Turner Broadcasting DISH Network and Rapid Broadcasting DISH Network and Rapid Broadcasting
In Jan. 2012, Rapid Broadcasting pulled their NBC (Ch. 21) signal in Rapid City, South Dakota, from DISH Network. After a 30-day blackout, the station was restored.
Verizon FiOS and Newport Television Time Warner Cable and Cordillera
Time Warner Cable and Cordillera
In Jan. 2012, Cordillera pulled their NBC, Telemundo, CW and KDF signal in Corpus Christi, TX, from Time Warner Cable. The stations have not yet been restored.
DISH Network and Rapid Broadcasting Time Warner Cable and MSG
Time Warner Cable and MSG
In Dec. 2011, MSG and MSG Plus pulled their signal from Time Warner Cable in New York. After a 7-week blackout, the channels were restored.
Time Warner Cable and Cordillera DISH Network and Heritage Broadcasting DISH Network and Heritage Broadcasting
In Dec. 2011, Heritage Broadcasting pulled their CBS (Ch. 9) and Fox (Ch. 32) signals in Michigan from DISH Network. After a 6-day blackout, the stations were restored.
Time Warner Cable and MSG DISH Network and Silverton, Wyoming and Mark DISH Network and Silverton, Wyoming and Mark
In Dec. 2011, Silverton Broadcasting, Wyoming Corp. and Mark III Media pulled their ABC, FOX and CBS signals from DISH Network. After a five-month blackout, the stations were restored.
DISH Network and Heritage Broadcasting DISH Network and Lingard Broadcasting and K&D Spain DISH Network and Lingard Broadcasting and K&D Spain
In Dec. 2011, Lingard Broadcasting and K&D Spain pulled their ABC, NBC & FOX signals from DISH Network in Columbus-Tupelo, Mississippi. After 24 hours, the stations were restored.
DISH Network and Silverton, Wyoming and Mark Comcast and Tennis Channel
Comcast and Tennis Channel
In Dec. 2011, Tennis Channel and Comcast disagreed over how many customers should have primary access to the channel, and it was removed from many subscribers’ line-ups. It has yet to be restored.
DISH Network and Lingard Broadcasting and K&D Spain DISH Network and Sarkes Tarzian DISH Network and Sarkes Tarzian
In Oct. 2011, Sarkes Tarzian pulled their NBC (Ch. 3) signal in Chattanooga from DISH Network. After a 6-week blackout, the station was restored.
Comcast and Tennis Channel Mediacom and LIN TV
Mediacom and LIN TV
In Oct. 2011, LIN TV pulled their FOX and CW signals in Florida, Indiana, Michigan and Virginia from Mediacom. After a 6-week blackout, the stations were restored.
DISH Network and Sarkes TarzianKeeping You Connected
DIRECTV has a 99% success rate of keeping your favorite programs on the air. In the past year, we've completed hundreds of programming agreements, covering the most popular networks, stations and shows. We do everything we can to keep you connected to your favorite shows.
Best Experience. Great Value.
With DIRECTV, you can be sure that you're getting the ultimate in TV entertainment, technology, and service, all at a great value. We strive every day to deliver more for your money than any other TV provider.
Lightning-fast HD on-screen Guide
DIRECTV's new High-Def on-screen Guide lets you scroll through hundreds of shows and movies in just seconds.
Record & watch shows in any room1
With DIRECTV, you can record and play your favorite shows in up to 15 rooms, with just one HD DVR.
DIRECTV goes anywhere you go2
Browse programs and set your home DVR from anywhere, with your laptop, iPad®, or cell phone
Watch live TV on your iPad®3
Turn your iPad® into a portable TV. With our FREE iPad® app, your favorite channels are always just a tap away.
What Our Customers Are Saying
Hector: Free channels should not have the right to charge, and definitely not be able to hold their customers’ signal hostage to increase their profits.
Sherry: Times are difficult for so many viewers who can only afford the entertainment of their TV and to do this out of greed is disgusting.
Jorge: Local channels should always be available on ALL content providers regardless of any renegotiation. Holding loyal viewers hostage is the same as piracy.
Gary: Don’t they know we are in a tough economy? How about caring for the public? It’s just the same old greed. We have to pay to watch what was always a free local station. Just Amazing.
loycust8yrs: You really think if you switch that you will be protected from channel losses and rate increases? I have had two different cable providers before DIRECTV and had worse luck with them. When we switched to DIRECTV, our channel selection went up and our price dropped dramatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
I pay DIRECTV to keep me connected to all my favorite programs, so why can’t DIRECTV always ensure that I will get everything I want?
Why shouldn’t I switch to DISH or the local cable or telco video service?
Why don’t you just give the station or network owners what they want so I’m 100 percent guaranteed of never losing any of my favorite shows?
Why would a station or network owner deny me any programs? Don’t they need as many people as possible to see their shows so they can sell advertising?
Why can’t you just make one agreement with ABC, CBS, CW, FOX and NBC themselves rather than with the local affiliates?
Learn More in FAQPress
The ‘Dodgers tax’
The group that paid an astronomical sum for the team will seek big money for broadcast rights. That cost will end up on your pay-TV bill, even if you don’t watch sports. Call it the “Dodgers tax.” Pay-TV analysts expect Guggenheim Baseball Management, the investment group that paid an astronomical sum for the Dodgers, to…
Dodgers sale could mean bigger cable bills
Congratulations, Angelenos, you may have just bought a piece of the Los Angeles Dodgers! While former Lakers great Magic Johnson may be leading the group shelling out a record $2 billion to buy the storied baseball franchise, in the end consumers may pick up much of the tab because their cable bills likely will be going up,…
Retransmission consent fees to hit $3.6 billion in 2017
For years, the broadcast television industry has griped about the unfair advantage the cable industry has because its business model is based on two revenue streams — subscriptions and advertising — while broadcast only gets money for commercials. It’s time to stop complaining.
1Requirements & restrictions: Browsing, watching live TV, recording and remote control functionality are available to DIRECTV customers only. DIRECTV customers must have a residential home account registered on directv.com to access application. Recording requires at a minimum a Wi-Fi, Edge or 3G network connection to run. In rare instances, scheduled recording(s) may not be recognized. Remote scheduling and live TV requires DIRECTV PLUS DVR (models R15, R16, R22), DIRECTV PLUS HD DVR (models HR20, HR21, HR22, HR23, HR24) or TiVo® Series 2 receivers with 6.4a software. Receivers do not require phone or broadband connection to schedule a recording. Remote control and live TV require a Wi-Fi connection to your home network. Remote control and live TV require DIRECTV PLUS HD DVR (models HR20, HR21, HR22, HR23, HR24), DIRECTV PLUS DVR model R22, or DIRECTV HD Receiver (models H21, H23, H24, H25) connected to your home broadband Internet Network. Available for customers in the USA only. 2DIRECTV Whole-Home DVR service requires a DIRECTV Plus HD DVR, Advanced Receiver Service fee ($20/mo.) and Whole-Home-enabled HD Receiver for each additional TV (or RVU enabled devices with the Home Media Center HD DVR model HR 34). Limit one remote viewing per HD DVR at a time, or up to three with the Home Media Center HD DVR. For more information, visit directv.com/wholehome 3DVR Scheduler requires Internet access via computer, mobile phone or iPad(R) and directv.com login. Remote connections may vary. In rate instances, scheduled recording(s) may not be recognized. Only available on certain DVR receivers. Visit directv.com/dvrscheduler for details. Jack and Jill © 2011 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All RightsReserved. Happy Feet Two © 2011 Village Roadshow Mumble 2 Productions Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved My Week With Marilyn © 2011 The Weinstein Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Young Adult © 2011 Paramount Pcitures. All Rights Reserved. The Decendants © 2011 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.