FCC: DirecTV Must Carry Paxson Stations

DirecTV’s satellite television service must carry stations owned by Paxson Communications Corp. in 31 markets, U.S. regulators said.

The Federal Communications Commission said DirecTV, which is owned by Hughes Electronics Corp., will have 60 days to begin airing the stations. Otherwise, the satellite service will have 15 business days to explain to Paxson why it refuses to carry any of the stations, the agency said.

Since Jan. 1, satellite TV providers have been required to carry programming from all local broadcast stations in markets where they carry at least one station.

Shares of Paxson, based in West Palm Beach, Fla., gained 33 cents to close at $10.78 on the American Stock Exchange. Hughes rose 10 cents to $16.90 on the NYSE.