DirecTV adds MeTV to channel lineup

The nostalgia-themed network is already available to Chicago-area subscribers through low-power station

[Editor’s Note: Updated November 29.]

Even though Nexstar is currently blacking out their owned and affiliated stations on DirecTV, the satellite operator is adding new channels.

Beginning today, viewers outside of the Chicago area can access Weigel Broadcasting’s MeTV on Channel 77 on DirecTV and DirecTV Stream in high definition. The addition gives the classic TV channel more reach into cable and satellite homes. 

“MeTV is ‘Memorable Entertainment Television,’ making it a uniquely valuable addition to the DirecTV channel lineup nationwide,” said Neal Sabin, vice-chairman of Chicago-based Weigel, who owns WCIU here and operates several digital subchannels, including MeTV. “We couldn’t be happier to seal this deal which allows us to add MeTV beyond the existing markets and deliver some of the most cherished and timeless television ever made to DirecTV subscribers coast-to-coast.”

In the Chicago area, MeTV has been available on DirecTV and Dish through low-power station WWME-CA (Channel 23) since its 2010 debut and broadcasts in 720p high definition, where it is remaining (as a result, Channel 77 is blacked out for Chicago-area viewers over satellite, but the national HD feed is available on the DirecTV app for phones, tablets, and streaming sticks such as Amazon Fire and Roku.) WWME is also available over-the-air on channel 23.1, depending on where you live (MeTV is also carried on WCIU’s digital subchannel 26.3.) MeTV has also been available on DirecTV’s U-Verse service since 2012. 

MeTV is the nation’s highest-rated diginet, nearly outdrawing The CW in primetime and beating numerous other high-profile cable networks. Signature programming on MeTV include Toon In With Me, Collector’s Call, and of course, the Saturday night Svengoolie movie showcase and Sventoonie. 

The move follows a trend of digital subchannels adding their national feeds to DirecTV, including Scripps’ Bounce and Grit; NBCUniversal’s CoziTV, and Sony’s GetTV, all available in high definition with the latter also now available as a FAST channel on Samsung Plus TV. Weigel’s suite of subchannels were also recently added to Frndly TV’s service. 

[An earlier draft incorrectly stated MeTV’s HD feed wasn’t available in the Chicago area for DirecTV viewers. The person who wrote this article is a DirecTV subscriber.]