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For local DirecTV subscribers, Sunday's New England Patriots AFC championship win came with a bit of panic: how will they be able to watch the Super Bowl?
The entire Massachusetts congressional delegation, including Central Mass. U.S. Reps. James McGovern and Richard Neal, have sent joint letters to the chairmen of DirecTV and Sunbeam Television, whose ongoing retransmission dispute has put the Super Bowl in jeopardy for DirectTV subscribers. The congressmen are calling for both sides to quickly end the dispute -- and if it isn't done by Feb. 5, to at least restore the signal for the Super Bowl.
"We make no representations as to the merits of either side's position, as these are contractual discussions between private parties," they wrote. "We encourage both parties to remain engaged in good faith negotiations."
More than 200,000 DirecTV subscribers in the region have been without normal access to Channels 7 and 56 since Jan. 14. The Super Bowl will be broadcast on NBC, which is Channel 7 in the Greater Boston region.
The congressmen are also asking the Federal Communications Commission to take action to bring both sides together to conclude negotiations.
"Consumers should not be caught in the middle," the letter concludes.
How about this: If WHDH does not show the super bowl BOYCOTT THEM. Direct is trying to hold down prices but Sun Tv wants more money. Let it start here. BOYCOTT WHDH if and when they return to air.