CHICAGO, March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Tribune television stations in 16 markets across the country today began informing DirecTV subscribers that they will lose the local news, traffic, weather, sports and entertainment programming provided by those stations at midnight, March 31, when Tribune's contract with DirecTV expires. Subscribers will also lose access to WGN America, Tribune's national cable network. "Despite our best efforts, DirecTV is refusing to offer a fair deal and we remain far apart in negotiations," said Nils Larsen, Tribune Broadcasting president. "As a result of DirecTV's inflexibility, there's a strong likelihood that service interruptions will occur. We feel we have an obligation to make sure DirecTV subscribers are aware that they will lose the programming provided both by our local stations and WGN America after Saturday." For more than ten years, DirecTV has paid popular broadcasters for the right to distribute their programming.