TV Answer Man, we are sick and tired of not being able to watch our Fox station. Is there anything new in this stupid fight? I come to your web site every day looking for news about it and I see nothing! Can you please update us?! — Cynthia, Little Rock.
Cynthia, DIRECTV on October 21 lost 25 local TV stations due to a carriage dispute with their owner, Mission Broadcasting. That means we have now entered day 20 of this fee fight — and there’s still no indication of a settlement. (The blackout also affects U-verse and DIRECTV Stream.)
I haven’t updated this story for several days because there simply isn’t anything new to report. My last article on the dispute was a prediction that it will end by the end of this week. I’ll stick with that largely because there’s ample incentive for both sides to find common ground. But there have been no public statements since my forecast to indicate that the sides are close.
The Mission station web sites continue to post alerts at their web sites saying that DIRECTV subscribers can’t watch them while the satcaster has a similar notice at its DIRECTV Promise web site.
Meanwhile, DIRECTV subscribers in the 12 Fox markets owned by Mission missed out on the entire World Series while those subs and others have lost three weekends of college and NFL football games.
Will @DIRECTV ever get WYOU-NBC back? Took me by surprise trying to watch Lindsey @LindseyStirling pic.twitter.com/X6YkKSv050
— Paul Alexander (@tenordreams) November 8, 2022
I understand the frustration of DIRECTV subscribers so I will try to provide more frequent reports on this blackout, even if it’s just to say there isn’t anything new to report. This will at least give you a reliable and timely source on the dispute’s status.
Cynthia, hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!
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It’s time to find a new way of viewing TV, time to leave Direct and Mission behind, Stream Fubo or who ever we can find to have all local access. So done with this BS.
I have satellite Wi-Fi and it’s metered. I’d be spending five hundred bucks a month for streaming. Not an option for me
I am unlimited @$20 per month via bundle.
Million dollar companies can’t come to a agreement so the little people have to suffer. Shame on you. I don’t even get to watch my Chiefs on Sunday when there on CBS. It’s a crying Shame!!!!😡😡😡😡
This time it feels different doesn’t it? Is it just me or others starting to have that same concern. Nexstar is actually in control and they recognize the Sat industry will be obsolete in ten years, They could care less as this same treatment will be and is already being used with streaming services. The Government will probably have to get involved as we are starting to lose the free market system in this industry. We need to be offered alternatives to the next closest local broadcast, or at a minimum, at least a national feed when disputes arise.
This problem is only going to get worse as Nexstar increases it’s footprint in various markets. As bad as I hate to admit it we need government intervention as this industry continues to be monopolized. We may see a day where we have no access to any local news or networks. I believe that is the Nexstar plan, we as consumers need to come together and lobby lawmakers to demand our concerns, service and trust is restored.
We need a platform and the ability to come together as consumers to demand what is only right with our common and unified purchasing power and voice.