DirecTV Steps In to Ensure Signal Service

DirecTV Inc., the largest U.S. satellite television operator, plans to offer signals from major TV network affiliates to customers facing the loss of similar signals provided by a New York company.

El Segundo-based DirecTV, a subsidiary of Hughes Electronics Corp., will offer signals from seven Los Angeles and New York network stations starting Thursday. The stations are Los Angeles’ KABC, KCBS and KNBC and New York’s WABC, WCBS, WNBC and WNYW.

By law, satellite TV customers can receive signals of distant network affiliates from satellite TV companies only if they cannot get local affiliates’ signals using conventional antennas. Customers faced a loss of the service this Sunday because of an injunction in a lawsuit filed by CBS Corp. and News Corp.’s Fox Broadcasting against PrimeTime 24, the largest wholesaler of network programming to satellite TV companies.

“We remain extremely concerned that consumers who are unable to receive a clear off-air signal will be precluded from receiving distant network signals,” Stephanie Campbell, DirecTV senior vice president for programming, said in a statement.

“We continue to look to Congress for a legislative remedy that will ensure no consumer is disenfranchised from receiving this critical segment of programming,” she said.

DirecTV had offered PrimeTime 24’s network programming service to its customers. Bob Marsocci, senior manager of communications, said a count of DirecTV customers receiving the service wasn’t available.

DirecTV said the broadcast signals will be offered to all customers receiving the PrimeTime 24 service.

It will be requalifying the eligibility of customers under new Federal Communications Commission rules for determining signal strength. Marsocci said there is a possibility that some customers will lose the programming.