DirecTV is dropping Esquire Network from it channel lineup. The male-skewing lifestyle channel will disappear from the AT&T-owned DirecTV and U-Verse services in all markets, effective at midnight.
“We routinely modify our channel lineups based on many factors, while continuing to strive to offer more choice, control and convenience to our customers,” an AT&T spokesperson said in a statement.
Esquire, a partnership between NBCUniversal and Hearst Corp., launched in 2013, replacing NBCUniversal’s Style Network. Airing primarily unscripted programming, Esquire targets male audiences with shows such as “Friday Night Tykes,” “Joyride,” “Brew Dogs,” “Team Ninja Warrior” and “Best Bars in America.” The channel has also ventured into scripted programming with overseas acquisitions such as “Spotless.”
Following the move by AT&T, Esquire will be available to 45 million subscribers, according to Nielsen data — down from 60 million prior to the move.
“It is disappointing that AT&T and DirecTV will no longer carry Esquire, but it continues to be carried across the nation to millions of subscribers and it is business as usual for the network,” an Esquire Network spokesperson said in a statement. “We remain excited about our dynamic slate of original programming, including hit franchises ‘Friday Night Tykes,’ ‘American Ninja Warrior,’ ‘Team Ninja Warrior,’ ‘Car Matchmaker,’ ‘Wrench Against the Machine,’ ‘Joyride’ and diverse projects in development.”
