Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is a channel that was released more than twenty-five years ago and targets the audience interested in classic movie releases. Being the channel that presents movies without interruptions and in their original version, TCM has accumulated a great number of followers since the moment it first appeared in 1994. However, what is unpleasant for most of the DIRECTV customers is that they recently received rather unexpected information concerning the channel.
TCM Dropped from the DIRECTV Channel Lineup
However, in April 2022, TCM was pulled from its DIRECTV channel list since the two parties did not agree on a new carriage deal. This effectively put paid to satellite TV and streaming services provider, DIRECTV’s over 15 million subscribers to TCM and its entire range of old movies.
The removal was unscheduled and we all know how it upset many DIRECTV consumers who were fans of TCM. A statement from DIRECTV, that the channel was pulled out because, TCM’s parent company Warner Bros. Discovery, wanted “excessive increases” in the fees of carriage. However, TCM stated that their aim was not to obtain a higher rate but a fair market rate for the product.
Still, it is regrettable that DIRECTV subscribers could not watch their favorite channel for some time, regardless of the cause, the decision was made without significant prior notice.
Customer Backlash Over TCM Removal
DIRECTV has heard several complaints from furious customers regarding doing away with TCM on social platforms as well as social media forums. Some customers had initially signed up for DIRECTV solely for TCM and felt that the channel’s omission hugely reduced the value proposition they got from the service.
It was also stated that the DIRECTV customers should dissubscribe and complain about the channel to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Nevertheless, the contractual conflict that leads to channel removals is usually unconnected with FCC complaints.
Some clients voiced their frustration over the timing of the TCM removal just before the network’s Classic Film Festival in late April/early May, which entails 48 hours of special TCM programming including on-air interviews that have become unavailable through DIRECTV.
Will TCM Return to DIRECTV?
As of today, there seems to be no explicit information on whether and when TCM is likely to come back on the DIRECTV broadcasting platform. As a rule, contract disputes regarding the payment for carriage are solved with new distribution deals between networks and providers. However, the negotiations that take place keep on for weeks or even months.
DIRECTV said they wanted to return the channel soon but it would depend on the terms of the agreement which they could consider fair to TCM. Another implication gleaned from TCM was that the company wanted to return the channel to the DIRECTV customers whenever they could.
Unfortunately for DIRECTV viewers, they still cannot access it as of now. This is because several customers have been loyal to TCM, but due to the removal of this channel, they may opt to cancel their subscriptions. Some viewers may cancel their premium memberships or switch to secondary streaming platforms for classic film content until TCM comes back.
Options for Viewing TCM Without DIRECTV
Although DIRECTV customers lost access to the Turner Classic Movies linear channel, there are a few alternative options for streaming TCM content:
HBO Max – TCM has links with HBO Max, and many of the iconic films have been made available for users to watch on-demand. Most of the movies in the TCM catalog can be watched, as well as some of the collections that have been created by TCM or recommended by it.
The Criterion Channel – This channel may be more appealing to the serious classic movie lover with over 1000 hard-to-find, critically acclaimed classic/international films. They also create special interviews and profiles showing appreciation for the golden era of movies.
Public Libraries – Some library systems in many localities provide DVDs of classic movies for lending purposes. Choices are rather scant, but it seems to be a pretty affordable solution for people who might have no TCM available.
These services are not as comprehensive a replacement for TCM, but they offer some choices for those who enjoyed classic movies and have been impacted by DirecTV’s removal of TCM. However, most appear to be waiting for the channel and the satellite provider to negotiate and reach an agreement to allow TCM to resume on DIRECTV again.
