"Viewers Are Outraged": DirecTV Latin America to Remove EWTN from Platform

DirecTV Latin America will eliminate EWTN as of July 31 of this year.

The satellite television company’s decision came after EWTN refused to pay a significant sum of money to remain on its platform.

DirecTV Latin America will remove EWTN

DirecTV Latin America‘s decision will impact approximately five million homes. These countries include Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay. The removal will also affect some of the Caribbean islands, such as Barbados, Trinidad, Tobago, Aruba, and Curaçao.

EWTN began broadcasting its programs on DirecTV Latin America 14 years ago.

EWTN is the largest Catholic network in the world, with a presence in more than 150 countries. More than 390 million households watch its programs daily.

EWTN Spanish Vice President of Production and Marketing Enrique Duprat spoke with ACI Prensa about the matter.

He said that the network never pays “any of the platforms” “since it is a nonprofit entity.”

Duprat added that “EWTN sustains itself “thanks to donations from its loyal viewers around the world.”

Manger of EWTN Missionary Friends for Latin America and Spain Ximena Izquierdo de Rivas said that “this news is unfortunate for us,” adding that the network received many “calls, messages and comments on social networks ” from viewers.

“EWTN viewers are outraged, they are very hurt, and do not understand how it is possible that EWTN can no longer be seen on DirecTV,” he said.

“Mother Angelica, our foundress, has always been and was clear that all the content of the channel will be delivered free to all cable networks, because our mission is to reach the whole world in the clearest way possible and at no cost.”

What You Can Do

More than 30,000 people signed a CitizenGO campaign demanding that DirecTV Latin America “keep EWTN” part of its programming.

“EWTN subscribers feel that this is a clear attack on the Christian faith, and we will unsubscribe from DirecTV if they remove the channel,” the petition warns.

Click here to sign the CitizenGo petition.

We also encourage subscribers to contact DirecTV via telephone. Here’s the list of phone numbers to contact DirecTV Latin America.