DIRECTV removes FOX25 from local channel lineups

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 1, 2017

DIRECTV Subscribers Lose Live Access to FOX shows and Local Programming

(DEDHAM, Mass. January 1, 2017) – FOX25 today announced that negotiations with DIRECTV failed to produce a deal before DIRECTV’s authorization to carry FOX25 expired at 3 a.m. on New Year’s Day.  Accordingly, FOX25, the local FOX affiliate previously found on DIRECTV is no longer available. FOX25 remains available free over-the-air and through every other pay TV provider in Boston.

Tom Raponi, Vice President and General Manager for FOX25, issued the following statement:

We’re just as disappointed as our viewers that FOX25 has been dropped from DIRECTV’s video services.  It is unfortunate that DIRECTV, which is one of the world’s biggest companies, has decided to use Boston television viewers as pawns in their effort to obtain unreasonable rates for FOX25 programming.

The reality is that we have deals with every single video distributor in the market except DIRECTV.  Those contracts generally were reached without service disruptions and, in most cases, viewers never even knew agreements were being negotiated.  We have no idea why DIRECTV alone is unwilling to accept a reasonable agreement to continue carrying FOX25.

We understand that DIRECTV is telling its viewers that FOX25 chose to have its station removed from local channel lineups. That is categorically false.  For weeks, DIRECTV has had before it offers from my company to continue carrying FOX25. DIRECTV refuses to accept our reasonable offers – even though every other video provider in Boston has done so. Viewers shouldn’t be fooled by DIRECTV’s corporate talking points.

Negotiations for restoring FOX25 to DIRECTV are continuing and I certainly hope that this disruption is very brief.  DIRECTV viewers should be aware, however, that FOX25’s signal remains available over the air and from every other pay-TV provider in Boston.  Concerned viewers can visit our website for additional information and updates.

###

Cox Media Group