After months of negotiations and a blackout of Nexstar-owned local stations for DirecTV customers, the two companies have finally come to an agreement.
On September 15, 2019, DirecTV customers in over 100 local markets across the United States lost access to Nexstar-owned stations due to a contract dispute between the two companies. This left millions of viewers without access to their favorite local news, sports, and entertainment programming.
However, on November 21, 2019, the two companies announced that they had reached a new multi-year agreement, ending the blackout and restoring access to Nexstar-owned stations for DirecTV customers.
The terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but both companies expressed their satisfaction with the outcome.
“We’re pleased to have reached an agreement that benefits all parties, especially our viewers,” said Nexstar CEO Perry Sook. “We appreciate DirecTV’s commitment to serving their customers and look forward to continuing to provide our highly rated and popular programming to their viewers for years to come.”
DirecTV also released a statement, stating that they were “pleased to have reached a mutually beneficial agreement with Nexstar” and that they “value our ongoing relationship with Nexstar and look forward to delivering their stations to our customers for years to come.”
This agreement is not only a relief for DirecTV customers who have had to go without their local programming for over two months, but it also signifies the importance of local news and programming in today’s media landscape.
As the media industry continues to shift towards streaming services and national networks, it’s important to remember the value of local news and programming. In times of crisis and uncertainty, local stations are often the most trusted sources of information for communities.
The agreement between DirecTV and Nexstar is a positive step towards ensuring that local stations continue to thrive and serve their viewers. It’s also a reminder that negotiations and compromise are key to resolving disputes in the ever-evolving media industry.