Approximately 160,000 subscribers in greater Boston have been left without access to WHDH, the television station airing the Olympics, since July 16

Boston (August 5, 2016) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, sent a letter today to Sunbeam Television Corp and AT&T, the owner of DirecTV, expressing concerns about the ongoing business dispute over retransmission fees. The dispute is impacting approximately 160,000 DirecTV subscribers in Greater Boston whose normal access to WHDH has been suspended since July 16. The Olympics is broadcast in the greater Boston area on WHDH, the NBC affiliate.

“We need these companies to work at Olympic record-breaking speed to resolve this dispute and get WHDH back on the air for Boston viewers,” said Senator Markey.  

A copy of Senator Markey’s letter to Sunbeam Television Corp and AT&T (DirecTV) can be found HERE.

“When the Olympics begin this evening, such suspension of service will become even more serious for these customers,” writes Senator Markey in his letter to the companies. “I encourage both companies to remain engaged in good faith negotiations. Consumers should not be caught in the middle.”

Senator Markey also sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging it take action to bring both parties together to bring about an equitable and expeditious conclusion to the dispute.

A copy of the letter to the FCC can be found HERE.

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