Viacom and DirecTV resolve carriage dispute

Viacom channels have been restored to US pay TV platform DirecTV after the two companies resolved a carriage fee dispute.

The argument over how much DirecTV should pay for Viacom’s 26 channels saw them removed from DirecTV, which dealt a blow to the ratings of most of the channels and Nickelodeon in particular.

Viacom issued a statement this morning stating that a new long-term carriage deal has been agreed and all of its channel are now back on DirecTV. It added that the new deal gives the pay TV platform the option of adding premium movie service Epix to its line-up.

“Viacom is extremely pleased to bring its programming back to DIRECTV subscribers, and thanks everyone affected by the disruption for their patience and understanding during this challenging period,” the statement read.

The channels had gone dark for over a week, while the pair hammered out a new carriage deal.