WMUR talks with Direct TV break down, causing disruption

MANCHESTER - Following protracted negotiations, the efforts of Hearst Television, parent of WMUR-TV, to achieve a new carriage agreement with DIRECTV, reached an impasse, and, as a result, WMUR-TV is now no longer being carried by DIRECTV's satellite system, the Manchester TV station announced on Friday.

The channels impacted are HD and SD Channel 9 on DirecTV systems. The current carriage agreement had been set to expire at midnight on December 31st, but was extended by Hearst Television multiple times until 7 p.m. (eastern time) on Friday.

"Unfortunately, the DIRECTV negotiating team is seeking the right to carry our stations at below market rates, which is neither fair nor reasonable given the significant investments we have made to deliver top tier programming to our viewers," said WMUR President & General Manager Jeff Bartlett. "We regret the inconvenience DIRECTV's demands have imposed on its subscribers, and we will keep our communities fully informed of developments." "It should be noted that we have not 'blacked out' our station," Bartlett added. "Viewers may continue to receive our station for free, over the air, and, where available, from local cable or other satellite operators."

Viewers can determine the type of antenna needed to receive the signals of Hearst Stations at http://www.antennaweb.org/. To contact DIRECTV regarding the inconvenience caused by its unreasonable demands call DIRECTV customer service at 1-800-531-5000 or 1-800-288-2020.