DIRECTV Subscribers May Lose Viacom Channels

NEW YORK: Channels such as Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central and TV Land may be dropped from the DIRECTV lineup if no new agreement is reached with Viacom by midnight tonight.

Nearly 20 million DIRECTV subscribers would be without a total of 26 Viacom channels, including BET, VH1, CMT and Spike TV. The two outfits have been unable to reach new terms of their expired agreement, with Viacom arguing that it deserves higher fees.

Viacom issued an official statement, which reads: "Viacom is the most watched programmer on DIRECTV. Nickelodeon is the most watched cable network on DIRECTV. We regret that DIRECTV refuses to consider a fair deal that recognizes the value of Viacom programming."