1. If DirecTV drops WABI-TV's stations, won't DirecTV simply make CBS and CW programming available from other stations?
No. DirecTV is legally prohibited from making out-of-market stations available to subscribers in WABI-TV's television market
(with the exception of a few remaining "grandfathered" subscribers who currently receive such stations).
2. What are my options for getting WABI-TV and The CW programming if the stations are removed from DirecTV?
Other cable and satellite providers will continue to carry WABI-TV and The CW without interruption.
Alternatively, you may use an antenna and receive the stations over the air. You may also see news stories and weather updates on our website.
3. How do I get in touch with someone at DirecTV if I wish to express my views?
You may call DirecTV’s customer service number at 1-800-531-5000.
To send DirecTV an email, click here.
4. Why is this happening to WABI-TV and The CW but not the other television stations in Bangor?
One might just as well ask, "Why is this happening with DirecTV, but not with any other cable or satellite service?"
The answer is two-fold. First, we were able to reach mutually agreeable terms with all other carriers.
Second, each station/satellite/cable agreement is a separate business deal, with unique terms of agreement based on the specific parties' mutual definition of a fair exchange of value.
We do not know the terms of the other stations' agreements, and their agreements are not a factor in any of our agreements with the cable and satellite services who carry us.
5. How long will the stations remain unavailable to DirecTV subscribers?
Unfortunately, a specific timeline cannot be determined.
We believe that it is in the best interest of our viewers and DirecTV's subscribers that we strive to reach a reasonable settlement, and we hope that DirecTV's representatives agree.
We remain hopeful that we can reach an agreement that will bring the stations back to DirecTV subscribers, and we will continue to work toward that end.
