DirecTV Now adds 14 Fox affiliates, now has Fox deals in 90% of top markets

Signaling a significant buildout to its coverage of local broadcast affiliates, AT&T said 14 new Fox-affiliated stations have been added to its portfolio for virtual MVPD service DirecTV Now.

The additions, AT&T said, give DirecTV Now access to local Fox stations in 90% of the top U.S. designated marketing areas. DirecTV Now has deals with 31 Fox stations overall. 

Locking up deals with local broadcast affiliates is a key differentiator for vMVPD services in a crowded market. Whether it be Sling TV or PlayStation Vue or YouTube TV, all services have deals with local broadcast affiliates.

However, vMVPD operators are confined to presenting only network-owned programming on demand in smaller markets in which they don’t have the affiliate lined up. 

The deals are a lot about sports. 

RELATED: Sony signs 20 more CBS affiliates for PlayStation Vue

The local affiliate pacts give DirecTV the ability to show Fox’s live presentations of the NFL, Major League Baseball, NASCAR, UFC and pro golf in the 31 markets where it has deals. 

“Today’s addition of 14 Fox-affiliated stations, and the others that will be launching soon, together with our portfolio of national and regional cable networks, will allow DirecTV to deliver the full experience of our industry-leading news, entertainment and sports brands, while affording consumers the convenience and flexibility to watch whenever and wherever they want,” said Fox Networks Group President of Distribution Mike Biard in a statement. 

“Significantly more customers now have access to local programming on DirecTV Now through Fox affiliates in cities across America,” added Dan York, chief content officer for AT&T. “We are continuing to expand our lineup of local, regional and national programming on DirecTV Now so our customers have access to an impressive lineup at a great value.” 

Here are the Fox stations currently locked up by DirecTV Now:

·        Atlanta (WAGA)
·        Austin (KTBC)
·        Charlotte (WJZY)
·        Chicago (WFLD)
·        Cleveland (WJW)
·        Dallas (KDFW)
·        Denver (KDVR)
·        Detroit (WJBK)
·        Gainesville (WOGX)
·        Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo, Mich. (WXMI)
·        Greensboro/HighPoint/Winston Salem, N.C. (WGHP)
·        Harrisburg/Lancaster/York/Lebanon, Pa. (WPMT)
·        Hartford /New Haven, Conn. (WTIC)
·        Houston (KRIV)
·        Indianapolis (WXIN)
·        Kansas City, Mo. (WDAF)
·        Los Angeles (KTTV)
·        Milwaukee (WITI)
·        Minneapolis (KMSP)
·        New York (WNYW)
·        Orlando (WOFL)
·        Philadelphia (WTXF)
·        Phoenix (KSAZ)
·        Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto, Calif. (KTXL)
·        Salt Lake City (KSTU)
·        San Diego (KSWB)
·        San Francisco (KTVU)
·        Seattle-Tacoma (KCPQ)
·        St. Louis (KTVI)
·        Tampa (WTVT)
·        Washington, D.C. (WTTG)