Public Knowledge Outraged by Viacom Decision to Cut Off Online Video

Background: Viacom has cut off online streaming of its programming on its websites, to all viewers, for leverage in a contract dispute with DirecTV.

The following statement can be attributed to John Bergmayer, Senior Staff Attorney at Public Knowledge:

"Once again it's viewers who suffer when media companies stall in their negotiations. But the scale of Viacom's overreaction is unprecedented. 

"Viacom has decided to take a service away from all Internet users in its attempt to punish DirecTV. It is apparent that Viacom puts little stock in the Internet and the online future of video if it is willing to use all Internet users as a pawn in its negotiations.

"We hope that Viacom and DirecTV can work out their differences quickly so that people can continue to access Viacom's popular content lawfully."