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DirecTV Could Pare Some Networks

DirecTV will look long and hard at its programming lineup in an ongoing effort to keep programming costs in check, including paring channels that are lacking in viewership, executive vice president of content strategy and development Derek Chang says. Historically, DirecTV had carried some networks simply because cable lacked the channel capacity. But in the current 200-plus channel universe, having an extra network or two that your competitor doesn't isn't the advantage it used to be.

"In our battle to manage our economics, we will look to repackage channels where we have over-distributed, or frankly just to remove certain channels from our platform if they are not relevant," Chang says. "Is there a place for channels that only serve a small fraction of our audience? Should we have to pay retrans fees?

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