Re: “Contract dispute causes WMTW to go dark on DirecTV” (Jan. 1):

The loss of access to WMTW probably will not cause DirecTV to lose customers, as long as they reach an agreement with Hearst Television in the near future.

DirecTV is a less expensive alternative to cable television. It provides subscribers with packages that give them exactly the channels they want to use, so they do not have to pay for the ones they do not. Missing this one channel for a short period of time, whether they watch it often or not, will not cause many customers to change their television provider. They will still be able to watch any of the hundreds of channels they are subscribed to while they wait for the agreement to be reached.

It is clear, however, that Hearst Television is serious about making a change. Their insistence on discontinuing the channel while the agreement is reached shows that they do not predict a quick arrangement.

Hopefully, DirecTV is making this new agreement a top priority. If the process does continue for a long period of time, customers may lose hope and turn to a cable company that will provide them with access to WMTW, as well as many other channels that may not be included in their DirecTV package.

Though the switch may make their television viewing more expensive, the loss of WMTW may make the change more worthwhile than it had been to customers previously. A quick resolution between DirecTV and Hearst Television will deter these customers from switching.

Megan Smith

Cumberland