DIRECTV Makes Local ABC, CBS, FOX, & NBC Channels Optional With New Packages

That's right. Satellite customers can opt in or out of their local stations as frequently as they would like. Pricing will be prorated daily based on when the change was made and reflected on the next billing cycle. Charles, DIRECTV Community Specialist

Today, DIRECTV announced that it will offer new TV packages that make local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC channels optional, along with new TV packages for its satellite customers.

Sadly, for streaming customers, these new plans are only for satellite customers at this time.

I'll move thread to the satellite section of the forum for clarity.

But going back to an optional add-on like when locals were first added to DirecTV is something I've wondered about with the increasing hassle from those local affiliates.

Curious to see the details of the new packages, particularly for those that have the special Preferred Xtra package. Go to a new package to save $12 from locals removed but get that or more added back on for the Regional Sports Network (RSN) fee would annoy those that don't watch sports.

I think this is great news for customers with off-air antennas to be able to save some money. What would really be great now is to make a way for the LCC to work with a Genie 2.

@Good4u 

Making the LCC work with the Genie-2 would be an improvement. I think they need a new generation of boxes for some sort of "Genie" and dedicated HDDVRs to work together along with support for LCC (or newer version).

Yes, Directv offers can remove local channels... however, they first raised their monthly prices by about $15, then will gladly give back $12 if you opt out of the local channels they provide in favor of local channels via antenna.  What a deal!!

The cost would still have gone up even if local channels weren't optional. This is from networks raising rates each time their carriage agreements come up (not just local affiliates).