DirecTV has now publicly defended itself after removing Newsmax from its channel lineup. The disagreement on a carriage fee has now been admitted by both the cable outlet and the satellite provider, but Congressional Republicans continue to champion public hearings on the matter.
In a statement released on its website, DirecTV contends the issues it holds with the conservative channel are financial and not related to politics.
“Our differences with Newsmax are economic, not political or ideological,” the statement read. “Newsmax made unreasonable demands that would force DirecTV customers to fund the network’s shift from a free nationwide streaming service to one that will require a pay TV subscription. Since we would not agree to Newsmax’s demand to pay them tens of millions of dollars in licensing fees, DirecTV was no longer permitted by Newsmax to air its content.”
In an interview with 710 WOR’s Mark Simone, Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy claimed the licensing fee the channel asked of DirecTV was “tiny” and amounted to “about a dollar per year” per subscriber. The Daily Beast reports that figure would amount to $13 million per year, with Newsmax asking for a multi-year agreement with DirecTV.
Ruddy has maintained DirecTV’s goal was to “censor” the outlet. DirecTV took issue with that insinuation.
“DirecTV is disappointed by Newsmax’s position,” the statement from the satellite provider continued. “We prefer Newsmax had never left and remain interested in bringing Newsmax back under the right financial terms.”
