Followers of Christian radio and television outlets are being asked to call DirecTV and demand the return of Newsmax, said Troy Miller, National Religious Broadcasters president and CEO.
"We're asking folks to reach out and say we want Newsmax back, and we don't really agree with this decision," Miller said on Newsmax's "Rob Schmitt Tonight" on Monday. "We're also putting a lot of pressure on congressional leaders to look into this, [and] we're asking for hearings."
AT&T's DirecTV in late January deplatformed Newsmax, basing the decision on "cost-cutting" after Newsmax sought the payment of carriage fees. This week, the provider claimed Newsmax wants "excessive fees" that would cost in the "tens of millions" of dollars, but Newsmax has denied these claims, saying it was seeking a fee of about $1 per cable subscriber per year, a fraction of the "tens of millions" DirecTV claims.
"This was never about the fees being excessive," said Christopher Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax. "DirecTV's position has always been that Newsmax of all cable news channels should never get any cable fee whatsoever, not one penny."
Miller said his association recently sent a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee demanding answers about a letter written in February 2021, when Democrats on the committee asked major cable networks to deplatform Newsmax and other conservative networks.
"We haven't had a response yet, but we're still reaching out, and we hope to get one," Miller said, adding that the Democrats' letter "was a little stronger than just asking. It almost intimidated and demanded" action.
"This was the chairperson of the committee that oversees the cable and broadcast industry," said Miller. "That's government interference if we've ever seen it."
Miller added that the issue is not only about Newsmax being dropped from DirecTV, but "this is a freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion issue."
"We're not going to let up and not let DirecTV run the clock out on this," he said.
Actions to Take Now
1. DirecTV customers call toll free at 877-763-9762 to cancel/complain.
2. AT&T customers call toll free at 888-855-2338 to cancel/complain for U-verse, cellular and wireless services.
3. Call your congressman or senator at 202-224-3121 and demand they stop AT&T/DirecTV's censorship of NEWSMAX — ask them to give you a date on the hearings!
4. Go to our online petition and get more info: iWantNewsmax.com.