SALT LAKE CITY — DirectTV customers found black space where KSL-TV used to be as of midnight Thursday.

After months of negotiations and several contract extensions, the two companies haven't reached an agreement that would keep the Salt Lake television station part of the cable giant's programming.

That means DirecTV subscribers won't be able to watch locally produced sports and entertainment, as well as NBC offerings such as the "Today" show, "America's Got Talent" and "Football Night in America," now airing on KSL.

KSL general manager Tanya Vea said the station is disappointed that a resolution hasn't been found, but negotiations were continuing.

Cable and satellite companies charge their customers for the right to include KSL programming as part of their packages, and the station has successfully negotiated with other providers in the market with no disruption of service.

"Similarly, we have worked diligently to avoid any interruption of service to our viewers who are DirecTV customers. We regret any impact this has on them," Vea said.

DirectTV is simply refusing to pay current market value rates, which are significantly lower than rates they already pay to other channels with smaller audiences, she said.

"Any statements by DirecTV to the contrary are simply false," Vea said.

DirecTV plans to keep KSL in its local lineup but needs permission from station owner Bonneville International, according to AT&T spokeswoman Suzanne Trantow.

"Bonneville is threatening to block DirecTV customers’ homes unless we commit you and our other Salt Lake families to pay almost three times as much just to keep the same KSL shows they’ve always had," she said in a statement Thursday.

"We intend to resolve this matter soon and have asked for our customers’ patience since it will help to keep their bills lower."

AT&T completed its acquisition of DirecTV last month, making it the largest pay TV provider in the U.S. and the world. As part of that deal, AT&T told Wall Street it would cut programming costs by 20 percent.

DirecTV has an estimated 220,000 subscribers in Utah.

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In its negotiations, KSL asked DirecTV to agree to the same rates that other companies such as Comcast have agreed to pay, but AT&T and DirecTV have refused to do that, according to KSL.

"KSL-TV feels it cannot give in to AT&T/DirecTV and its Wall Street backers and keep delivering the high-quality local sports and entertainment programming viewers expect," according to the station.

Email: romboy@deseretnews.com

Twitter: dennisromboy

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