54 Local TV Stations Go Dark
Scripps vs. DirecTV: The Retransmission Battle Continues
The ongoing retransmission battle between Scripps and DirecTV has reached a new level of intensity, with 54 local Scripps stations in 36 Nielsen-designated markets going dark as of 7 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Both sides are pointing fingers at each other for the blackout, which DirecTV has noted comes at a critical time with several state and local primary elections in June, as well as major sporting events such as the NBA and NHL finals on ABC, and the upcoming U.S. Open golf tournament on NBC.
DirecTV has accused Scripps of demanding exorbitant rates, which would ultimately burden consumers and businesses already struggling with affordability. After DirecTV refused to meet these demands and sought a more reasonable agreement, Scripps made the decision to remove its stations from viewers in several major markets nationwide.
On the other hand, Scripps claims to have been engaging in good-faith negotiations with DirecTV to reach a fair agreement that benefits both parties and, most importantly, consumers. Scripps has criticized DirecTV for resorting to tactics that harm subscribers by using them as bargaining chips in contractual disputes.
DirecTV pointed out that Scripps recently removed 40 stations from Comcast Xfinity in 19 markets for over a month, starting April 1. This further complicates the already strained relationship between the two companies.
While DirecTV acknowledges the frustration of customers losing access to Scripps stations and their programming, they remain committed to protecting customers from unnecessary cost increases. Scripps, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of restoring local stations to DirecTV’s subscribers to ensure access to essential content like local news, weather alerts, and live sports.
The retrans blackout has impacted markets across the country, including major cities like Baltimore, Denver, Miami, and Phoenix. Viewers in these areas are left without access to important local programming and sports events.
In the midst of this dispute, DirecTV has suggested that sports fans utilize the ESPN app for programming, while Scripps recommends using an antenna for free over-the-air access or exploring alternative streaming services like Tablo TV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo.
