Viacom channels are off DirecTV systems - USA TODAY

NEW YORK (AP) â€" DirecTV subscribers are losing access to "The Daily Show" and "SpongeBob SquarePants."

Rogelio V. Solis, AP

A mini-van passes a DirecTV satellite dish in a residential area adjoining downtown Jackson, Miss.

DirecTV Group stopped carrying channels owned by Viacom because of a contract dispute. They include MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central.

The dispute is over how much DirecTV should pay to carry the Viacom programming. The two companies blamed each other for the shutdown.

Viacom and DirecTV have had an agreement for seven years, which Viacom says meant that it has been paid below-market rates for the programming. DirecTV, meanwhile, says Viacom is asking for too much money.

DirecTV has 20 million U.S. subscribers.

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