CBS stations get dark for DirecTV customers through contract disputes with AT & T

(Reuters) ̵[ads1]1; CBS Corp ( CBS.N ) and AT & T Inc ( TN ) failed to renew their contact, resulting in millions of DirecTV subscribers losing access to CBS programming.

CBS television stations in over a dozen US cities, including New York and Los Angeles, went dark for DirecTV customers who were effective 0200 ET (0600 GMT), CBS said in a statement on Saturday.

"As we continue to negotiate in good faith and hope AT&T will accept reasonable terms soon, this loss of CBS programming can be long," added CBS, as the companies blamed each other for the deal's breakdown.

CBS, the network of hit shows like "NCIS" and "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" directs customers to a site called "KeepCBS.com", where they are encouraged to send, call or send messages to DirecTV's social media sites.

AT & T said in a separate statement that they "were willing to continue negotiating and also offered to pay CBS an unprecedented interest rate increase."

In March, AT&T renewed its contract with Viacom Inc ( VIAB.O ) avoids a blackout by MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central for telecoms pay-TV service DirecTV's users.

CBS had informed its users on Tuesday that they would be prepared for a blackout from June 19, unless an agreement was signed with AT & T.