Lilly Broadcasting is announcing that an agreement in principal has been reached with Direct TV that will keep WICU, WSEE and Northwest Pennsylvania CW on the satellite service.

The 11th hour deal was reached just hours before a 5pm EST deadline that would have pulled the local channels from the service.

No details on the deal are being released, in part because there are still some details to be finalized.

The deal has been described as long term.

"We're happy we're not going to lose service to Direct TV customers," Executive Vice President John Christianson said. "And we can continue to provide top level drama, comedy, news and sports programming to those who use Direct TV to see them."