The Fox corporation is warning DirecTV customers that they may lose access to its main sports channels and other programming on Friday, citing a breakdown in negotiations with the television provider.
“Despite our best efforts over months, we regret that DIRECTV continues to demand unprecedented special treatment that represents a complete reversal of our long-standing relationship and is out of step with market terms,” Fox said in a statement posted on the website “keepfox.com.”
Fox said DirecTV, DirecTV Stream and U-Verse subscribers could lose access to Fox programming, including the NFL on Fox, the Big Ten College Football Championship on Fox, the World Cup 2022, FS1, news channels local Fox and more starting at midnight Friday.
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Fox News and Fox Business are not among the programming at risk of removal, DirecTV said.
“At this point, any disruption to Fox programming rests solely with Fox. DIRECTV has no intention of removing any Fox content,” DirecTV spokesman Nick Ammazzalorso said in a statement to USA TODAY. “The best way for everyone to ‘Stay with Fox’ is for Fox to continue to make it available.”
Ammazzalorso said the company, which was acquired by communications giant AT&T in 2015, was confident of reaching a deal before any possible service disruption and accused Fox of using “scare tactics.”
The “Keep Fox” website advised customers to contact DirecTV and demand that the provider settle with Fox. It also listed alternative television providers that carry its channels.
