Viacom, DirecTV reach agreement: 17 channels restored

(CBS/AP) DirecTV customers will be able to watch Viacom channels again. The companies reached a carriage fee deal Friday, ending a dispute, which resulted in a two-week blackout.

The decision will bring shows such as those featuring the cartoon character Sponge Bob and the comedian Jon Stewart back to DirecTV subscribers.

Seventeen Viacom channels - including MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon - had not been accessible to some 20 million DirecTV customers since July 10 as the two companies haggled over how much DirecTV should pay to carry those channels.

Terms of the deal announced Friday were not disclosed.

On Tuesday Viacom decided to let new episodes of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and "The Colbert Report" be shown on its websites, easing a blockade of online viewings that it imposed last week.

DirecTV subscribers will also be able to see Viacom shows on tablets, laptops and other devices using DirecTV's Everywhere platform.

"In addition to the channels' return, DirecTV customers will also gain the ability to see Viacom programming on tablets, laptops, handhelds and other personal devices via the DirecTV Everywhere platform," DirecTV explained.

In a statement, Viacom noted it "is extremely pleased to bring its programming back to DirecTV subscribers, and thanks everyone affected by the disruption for their patience and understanding during this challenging period."