By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow on X.
Former editor of Satellite DIRECT magazine. Reported on DIRECTV for 30 years.
TV Answer Man, do you know when we will get our ABC channel back here in Florida. We lost it on DIRECTV last week? — Gina, Orlando, Florida.
Update: DIRECTV and Cox Media Group sign new deal.
Gina, DIRECTV is involved in a carriage dispute with the Cox Media Group which owns 14 local channels in nine markets, including your ABC affiliate in the Orlando market. The blackout, which began February 3, also affects subscribers of DIRECTV Stream and U-verse.
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Carriage disputes, which have become more common in the pay TV industry over the last few years, can last a few days or a few years depending upon the nature of the disagreement and the companies involved. DIRECTV, for instance, last year had a 76-day fee fight with Nexstar before settling and it has not carried roughly 30 Mission and White Knight locals for more than a year. The TV provider has demonstrated a willingness to hold out for an extended period if necessary to exact the best terms possible.
However, in the Cox Media case, there is evidence that this blackout could be short term. The two companies also had a carriage dispute in 2021 and it lasted just five days. Every fee fight is different, and the 2021 outcome does not mean the same thing will happen with this one. But history often repeats itself in carriage battles because it’s usually the same executives doing the negotiating. For instance, Dish last year settled with Hearst Broadcasting after two months, almost the same time it took to settle their previous scrap.
There’s another reason why this might be a short dispute. The Super Bowl is this Sunday and Cox Media has two CBS stations (CBS is broadcasting the game). DIRECTV viewers in those markets can watch the game on Nickelodeon, which eases the pressure on the satcaster to settle, but the Cox CBS affiliates stand to lose a big ratings day. Consequently, Cox Media might be more inclined to settle sometime this week.
The TV Answer Man will continue to monitor this situation and report back here if anything significant changes. Until then, happy viewing and stay safe!
Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.
The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.
