What channels were lost on DIRECTV?

DirecTV is Dropping Many Channels From Their Package

In the recent weeks, satellite provider DirecTV stirred controversy when it decided to drop more than a dozen channels. The dropped channels include all genres which as made many DirecTV subscribers angry and frustrated for losing favorite channels.

Which Channels Were Cut By DirecTV?

All in all, there were 17 channels that were taken off DirecTV channel listing. Here is the full list of networks that DirecTV subscribers lost access to:Here is the full list of networks that DirecTV subscribers lost access to:

Cinemoi HDNet Movies MHD MTV2 NickToons Outdoor Channel Ovation RFD-TV Sony Movie Channel Sportsman Channel Tennis Channel Tr3s Universal HD Wedding Central Youtoo Zap2It

Almost all of them belong to the entertainment, movies, sports, music or lifestyle categories. Losing them means there will be less of the niche programming that was introduced to appeal to specific subcultures and other audiences.

Although few of them were not prominent mainstream channels, most of them have developed a dedicated viewership base. For instance, HDNet Movies was welcomed by movie lovers because it provided them with high quality movies, including classics. While for those who had specific interest in tennis, the Tennis Channel provided comprehensive coverage. These clearly needed to be somewhere, even if they were not top 20 Nielsen-rated networks In other words, there was a reason for these to exist.

DirecTV Why Did They Drop The Channels

In press statements that it issued to the media, DirecTV explained that low viewership was the cause of the termination of the networks’ affiliation agreements with their companies.

As more consumers engage in cord cutting and pay-TV providers continue to lose subscribers annually, such firms as DirecTV have searched for ways to reduce expenses. Maintaining channels that perform poorly in terms of viewership is apparently an expense they have considered unnecessary.

Critics, however, quickly identify this point by arguing that NCDs cannot attract a large audience without broad distribution. If there is little viewership that does not mean the channel is not followed by many people who no longer can watch it.

How Have Subscribers Reacted?

As expected, these channel removals have caused an extremely negative response from DirecTV consumers. Let’s have a look at DirecTV’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, and you will see that they are filled with hatred and frustration from clients.

Some subscribers are annoyed at the fact that they lost some channels they enjoyed watching without prior notice and without proper reasons given. Since the bills remain the same, they end up receiving less value for the money they spend.

Some have regarded it as an indication that DirecTV is on the brink of becoming irrelevant as a service. If they are already cutting channels, some may ask – to what extent are they willing to go in the future?

It is not only the subscriptions that have been threatened to be cut, but some customers have threatened to demand for a discount if the channels that have been removed are not restored as soon as possible. Based on the anger emerging from social media, this could result in a significant churn rate boost for DirecTV.

What Can You Do To Still Be Able To View The Dropped Channels?

If you wish to still access any of the 17 dropped channels, you do have some options even without DirecTV:If you wish to still access any of the 17 dropped channels, you do have some options even without DirecTV:

1. Switch to another pay-TV provider: I also found that all of the removed channels are still accessible via at least one other service. Several companies broadcast them including Dish Network, Verizon Fios, Spectrum and several streaming platforms. If watching them is a priority, changing providers might be a viable option to undertake.

2. Get an over-the-air antenna: An OTA antenna enables you to view broadcast stations available in your region without paying for the service. Hence, some of the most popular channels such as The CW and Univision are completely accessible without having to pay for a subscription.

3. Subscribe to standalone streaming services: Some of the affected networks are also available for streaming via direct to consumer services. For example, there are Tennis Channel and Sportsman Channel streaming apps which one can purchase without having to subscribe to a bundle.

4. Check if channels offer some free streaming content: Some of the dropped networks offer some content for free, at least on their website or a dedicated app even if you do not have a streaming subscription. It is at least a choice for getting a taste of their programming.

   The Bottom Line

   To the subscribers of television providers, losing 17 channels is never a good report to receive. Although the networks in question were not mainstream channels by any means, they did establish audiences that would likely feel that the channels’ removal deprives them of options they are interested in.

   As far as many of the dropped channels are concerned, it is at least an inconvenience and at most a complete loss of cherished television programming. If cancellation continues to gain the upper hand, reversing the decision may seem like the easiest thing for DirecTV to do.

   It is yet to be seen how DirecTV will manage the consequences of this decision to their customers which has not been well received. However, in the meantime, viewers are not left completely helpless since there are other options like free broadcast TV or standalone streaming to watch some of the gone channels. The message for cord-cutters is that there is always some level of risk when relying exclusively on one TV provider.