Customers of Direct TV are facing the possibility of losing several channels as Direct TV has allowed their contracts to expire.
Channels effected in the change would include 13 of the Fox Sports Channels, FX and some NatGeo programming. Customers who purchase the NHL Hockey Package would also be effected, losing the Fox Midwest feed could directly interfere with the current NHL Hockey season and if not resolved could effect the 2012 St. Louis Cardinal games carried by Fox Midwest.
Direct TV has posted a web site www.ourpromisetoyou.com trying to place all the fault on the Fox Networks. On promise to the customers that was broken by the company was the addition of local channels to the North East Arkansas market. Direct TV claimed that local network channels would be available to area customers by September 2011 including the Jonesboro Station KAIT. It was even announced at one point by KAIT that it was coming soon. Sources indicate that now talks have stalled and no date for this addition is available and may never be.
Two years ago, Direct TV had the same type feud with the Versus Network, losing the feed for almost a year.
Channels listed for the Imboden area that will be lost are Fox Movies, Fox Soccer, National Geographic, Speed, Fox Midwest, FS South and FS Southwest. Included programing on these channels are the Nascar Truck Series, St. Louis Cardinal Baseball, St. Louis Blues Hockey, Nascar Sprint Cup races seen on FX and several College Football teams in conferences such as Conference USA and others.
The most interesting thing is that Direct TV has only mentioned losing the channels and not lowering your bill for getting fewer channels.