New York is one of 22 states that has agreed to settle with DirectTV over the company's marketing and advertising practices, state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said Monday.
DirecTV agreed to pay $5 million to the states, provide restitution to some customers and change some business practices as part of the agreement, Spitzer said.
"Consumers must be provided clear and complete information about offers, prices and services in order to make wise purchasing decisions," Spitzer said.
The states started an investigation in 2003 after consumer complaints about some DirecTV business practices, including instances where advertised programs were not viewable, some sports programming was blacked out, local programming was not available as advertised and subscribers complained about poor reception.
DirectTV countered that consumers were warned about possible problems, but as part of the agreement the company said it would inform consumers in larger type and clearer language about some possible interruptions in service.
Joining New York in the agreement are Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and West Virginia.
http://www.bizjournals.com/industries/high_tech/cable_tv_radio/2005/12/12/albany_daily5.html
DirecTV agreed to pay $5 million to the states, provide restitution to some customers and change some business practices as part of the agreement, Spitzer said.
"Consumers must be provided clear and complete information about offers, prices and services in order to make wise purchasing decisions," Spitzer said.
The states started an investigation in 2003 after consumer complaints about some DirecTV business practices, including instances where advertised programs were not viewable, some sports programming was blacked out, local programming was not available as advertised and subscribers complained about poor reception.
DirectTV countered that consumers were warned about possible problems, but as part of the agreement the company said it would inform consumers in larger type and clearer language about some possible interruptions in service.
Joining New York in the agreement are Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and West Virginia.
http://www.bizjournals.com/industries/high_tech/cable_tv_radio/2005/12/12/albany_daily5.html
