DirecTV Subs in Miami Get Football Despite Retrans Blackout

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WSVN Miami and DirecTV have worked out an agreement to broadcast the New York Giants-San Francisco 49ers playoff game Jan. 22 as the two continue to work out a new retransmission consent contract. DirecTV viewers will also be able to watch the pre-game and post-game shows, American Idol and a late edition of WSVN's news Sunday night.

WSVN, a Fox affiliate owned by Sunbeam Television, went dark for DirecTV subscribers Jan. 14.

"WSVN is still negotiating with DirecTV, but we care about our viewers, and we want them to be able to watch this game," said Robert Leider, executive VP and GM of WSVN.

Leider suggests the two parties are not close to a long term deal. "DirecTV's unwillingness to pay a reasonable fee to carry our signal is unfortunate," he said.

Michael Malone
Michael Malone

Michael Malone is content director at B+C and Multichannel News. He joined B+C in 2005 and has covered network programming, including entertainment, news and sports on broadcast, cable and streaming; and local broadcast television, including writing the "Local News Close-Up" market profiles. He also hosted the podcasts "Busted Pilot" and "Series Business." His journalism has also appeared in The New York Times, The L.A. Times, The Boston Globe and New York magazine.