WWE
WWE SmackDown on Friday nights may not be available on Fox via DirecTV in the coming weeks.
On Sunday, November 27, Fox aired a crawl across some of its channels with a warning that from midnight December 2, viewers could lose access to some of their “favorite Fox programming,” is a “fair agreement” isn’t reached with DirecTV.
As per the Hollywood Reporter, Fox and DirecTV are in active talks ahead of the expiration of their carriage deal.
In a statement, Fox said:
“Fox remains committed to reaching a fair agreement with DirecTV for the continued distribution of our networks.
“Despite our best efforts for months, we regret that DirecTV continues to demand unprecedented special treatment that represents a wholesale change to our long-standing relationship and is out of step with marketplace terms.”
“While Fox continues to seek an agreement benefiting all parties, our priority is ensuring viewers’ ability to access all Fox Sports, Fox Entertainment and local Fox station programming.”
If the carriage deal expires without DirecTV and Fox coming to an agreement on a new one, FS1, Big Ten Network, Fox Deportes, Fox Soccer Plus (PPV) and the Fox-owned-and-operated local stations would be affected.
The company encouraged DirecTV subscribers to utilize KeepFox.com for advice on how to keep their channels.
SmackDown airs on Fox on Fridays at 8pm ET, so would notably be affected should negotiations fall through.
Likewise, viewers would not be able to watch NFL and the Big Ten College Football Championship on Fox and the FIFA World Cup on Fox and FS1.
At time of writing, WWE has not shared plans on what this would mean for SmackDown should scheduling be interrupted.
This coming Friday’s December 2 edition of SmackDown, featuring the final of the World Cup between Santos Escobar and Ricochet, is actually set to air on FS1.
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2 years ago by Laura Cude
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