Thankfully, the Super Bowl is on channel 2.

As of this morning, DirecTV customers trying to watch shows on WVII ABC 7 or WFVX Fox 22 began noticing this message on their screens.

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Rockfleet Broadcasting and ATT/DirecTV have apparently come to an impasse in their latest contract negotiations, resulting in the loss of ABC 7 and Fox 22 from the satellite providers television offerings.

This from the FoxBangor.com website: "Unfortunately our stations have been taken off DirecTV since they have elected not to come to a fair agreement to re-transmit our programming to your homes.  We have been negotiating in good faith with DirecTV since August.  Our Agreement expired on December 31, 2017 and we have granted a number of extensions since. AT&T/DirecTV are attempting to force non-economic contractual terms on our stations that are simply unacceptable.  We regret the interruption to our DirecTV viewers and are working hard to bring this impasse to an end."

Meanwhile, DirecTV counters with this message from their website: "We want to get WVII and KFVX back into your local service as soon as possible, but by law, WVII and KFVX’s owner, Rockfleet Broadcasting, has exclusive control over whether those stations remain available on DIRECTV and DIRECTV NOW or not. We share your frustration because Rockfleet is deliberately blocking WVII and KFVX from reaching your home unless Rockfleet receives a significant increase in fees even though you can still watch its shows for free over-the-air on channels 7 and 22 and, often, at abc.com and fox.com or using the WatchABC and Fox Now apps. We can have WVII and KFVX back into your service within moments of Rockfleet simply granting its permission, and continue to ask that WVII and KFVX allow you to watch while we work this business matter out privately."

We hope that both companies can come to an agreement very soon and end this deadlock for the benefit of many DirecTV subscribers in Central and Eastern Maine!

 

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