Betty McLamb: WRAL not ‘friendly’

Regarding the Jan. 20 sidebar “WRAL blackout hits DirecTV”: It is time for the FCC to take control of the ongoing dispute between network television and the pay-for-service television companies.

I am outraged that WRAL removed free CBS programming from my DirecTV lineup. By its own admission, WRAL removed the channel because it doesn’t like the fees collected by DirecTV. What source I use as an antenna and how much I pay for content are my decisions.

Because of the dispute between two corporate behemoths, I now find myself without my free programming. The FCC should rule that no one can disrupt free television content.

Unless this situation is resolved, people around the world will be able to view the football championships, but residents here in the Triangle will not.

I have watched WRAL since the beginning of television. WRAL touts itself as the friend in my home. My friends would not treat me this way.

In the future I will find new friends for local programming.

This story was originally published January 20, 2016 at 4:55 PM with the headline "Betty McLamb: WRAL not ‘friendly’."