Viacom Escalates DirecTV Blackout by Pulling Online Content
A dispute between DirecTV and media giant Viacom led to a blackout of popular cable channels like MTV and Nickelodeon for local DirecTV subscribers.
Local DirecTV subscribers were treated to a blackout of popular channels like Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central thanks to a contract dispute between the satellite carrier and media giant Viacom, according to multiple reports. The blackout began at midnight Tuesday and the two companies are blaming each other for the dispute that affects about 20 million customers, according to the New York Times. The Times quoted a media analyst speculating that the blackout could last one to four weeks. In response to the blackout, DirecTV suggested subscribers go online to watch unavailable programs, which led Viacom to pull many full-length shows like "The Colbert Report". "Viacom is now not only holding DirecTV customers hostage, but all online …
