DIRECTV and Newsmax Media, Inc. released a statement on Wednesday, announcing a multiyear distribution agreement that will restore the Newsmax channel to DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, and U-verse on March 23, 2023. The companies cited financial terms as the reason for the initial disagreement, which led to DIRECTV losing the rights to distribute Newsmax programming on January 25, 2023.
In recognition of DIRECTV’s support of diverse viewpoints, including conservative ones, Christopher Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax, expressed his appreciation. Ruddy also acknowledged DIRECTV’s contribution to Newsmax’s establishment almost a decade ago and its assistance to emerging news networks.
“Which is why we are pleased to reach a mutually beneficial agreement that will deliver our network to DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, and U-verse customers over the next several years,” he added.
Bill Morrow, CEO of DIRECTV, stressed the company’s commitment to offering its customers diverse programming and viewpoints. He highlighted the successful resolution of the negotiations, which resulted in mutually agreeable business terms, enabling them to deliver the conservative news network at the appropriate value. He regarded this outcome as a demonstration of the free market at work.
The Newsmax channel will be available on DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, and U-verse at no additional cost to customers. It will join six other 24/7 news networks in DIRECTV’s expanded and diversified news lineup, including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, NewsNation, and The First.
This agreement between DIRECTV and Newsmax represents the company’s recent successful resolution of a carriage dispute, a common issue in the pay TV and streaming industry as providers strive to balance increasing consumer costs. Over the past five years, the industry has experienced 140 disputes between programmers or station groups and their primary distributors. DIRECTV has resolved around 50 public disputes with programmers or station groups during this period, typically lasting for several days to several months.
