DirecTV Removes Viacom Channels Amid Battle on Social Media

Two media giants, Viacom and DirecTV, used social media sites Tuesday to rally support in a spat over whether DirecTV's 20 million customers will lose access to Viacom channels.

The two companies are trying to reach a deal that would allow DirecTV to continue distributing 17 Viacom channels -- including MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, BET, CMT, Spike and Comedy Central.

A blackout of those channels is set for Tuesday at midnight ET if a deal isn't reached.

UPDATE, July 11 at 12:40 a.m. ET: DirecTV has released this statement, detailing news that it has removed the 17 channels:

"DIRECTV customers were left without Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central and 14 other channels today, after Viacom…

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