Another blackout could be coming for customers as tensions climb between the DIRECTV and Cox Media. This could see local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC locals go dark on DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, & U-verse TV.
With the current retransmission deal set to expire on February 2, and a new agreement has yet to be reached between DIRECTV and Cox with big events like the Super Bowl drawing near.
This comes just two weeks after DIRECTV and Tegna reached a deal to restore 64 Tegna-owned TV stations in 51 markets bringing a two-month blackout to an end.
Cox Media on Thursday issued a release demanding that DIRECTV not block its customers’ access to local channels. Cox said DIRECTV’s “anti-consumer practice of repetitive, extended station drops is typical” of the company.
“CMG is proud of our commitment to investing in best-in-class local news and investigative journalism,” Marian Pittman, Cox’s executive vice president said in a statement. “We’re dismayed that DIRECTV is trying to force a deal that would harm local journalism and broadcast stations. This hurts consumers who rely on our high-quality local news, weather, and entertainment programming.”
In the release, Cox urged “concerned viewers” to call DIRECTV and request their local stations be kept in the lineup. The company also suggested DIRECTV customers switch to Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, Verizon Fios TV, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV to “avoid disruption.”
Cable TV blackouts are becoming increasingly common as cord cutting hits the cable industry. Since 2020, there have been 83 blackouts between content providers like DIRECTV and Nexstar, Spectrum and Disney, and DIRECTV and Tegna. Most recently, the Federal Communications Commission proposed a rule that would require cable TV providers reimburse their customers impacted by blackouts.
“Our request of DIRECTV is simple,” Pittman went on to say. “Don’t rob your customers of their access to the important news, sports and entertainment programming they need and want.”
DIRECTV wasn’t immediately available for comment.
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