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Yankees Fans Face Potential Blackout Over YES, DirecTV Dispute

NEW YORK (WFAN) -- If you were watching the Yankees' home opener Thursday afternoon, you probably noticed a commercial on YES urging fans to "be heard" in the network's ongoing contract battle with DirecTV.

An updated video posted to the YES website ominously states, "Attention DirecTV subscribers: The YES Network's current agreement with DirecTV expires tonight. Starting tomorrow you may lose your entire season of Yankees baseball on YES.

"We've been working diligently towards new deal but despite our continued negotiations, DirecTV may cease to carry the YES network. We're doing everything we can to resolve this situation and ensure a full season of Yankees baseball on YES."

As of 11:59 p.m. Friday, the TV home of the Yankees and Nets will be without an agreement with DirectTV. Whether YES will actually be pulled off the air is unclear.

"DIRECTV plans to keep the channel up while we conclude these negotiations," said the satellite provider in a statement. "However, if the channel should go dark for any reason, make no mistake that it was solely the decision of YES Network to take the channel away from DIRECTV customers."

The statement continues, "If YES Network goes dark, MLB Extra Innings and NBA League Pass customers will continue to see Yankees and Nets games but will not have access to the YES Network feed. In most instances DirecTV will provide the opposing team's feed for these packages. If you receive YES Network as your local RSN, unfortunately these games will not be available."

The YES Network responded on Thursday: "We are negotiating in good faith with DirecTV in hopes of resolving this matter quickly."

DirectTV asserts YES wants fees that are "significantly higher" than what traditional cable providers pay.

"This will get resolved if YES agrees that DIRECTV should pay the same amount as the other three dominant TV providers in the market (Comcast, Time Warner & Cablevision)," the company said. "DIRECTV customers should not be forced to pay a penny more for YES Network."

Yankees fans with DirecTV, let your voice be heard in the comments below!

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