When is Channel 40 going to come back?

@rlmyers 

And it is just as easy for the channel owner to pull the feed from Comcast to play hardball for higher rates. This is just carriage negotiations and unfortunately local affiliate owners are more often doing this when the agreement comes up. Nexstar happens to be one of the largest (if not the largest) owners so is really throwing their clout around.

You are claiming DirecTV doesn't care about their customers? Well certainly no more than any other business, but keep this in mind. If TV provider gives in to channel owner's further increased rates, where do you think that comes from? Their operating costs go up then eventually so do our bills. If they just caved in and jacked up the rates for it, would you consider that caring for the customer?

Complain to Nexstar for charging even more for channels that are free over the regular airways. Use a regular antenna to pick up that broadcast as a backup (might even find sub-channels to enjoy that DirecTV doesn't have). In that sense you can fix it yourself.

Your amount paid to DirecTV over 25 years means nothing when it comes to carriage negotiations. This is between DirecTV and Nexstar. Either Nexstar agrees to a rate that is more reasonable which minimizes rate increase (ideally avoids or lowers but doubtful that would happen) or DirecTV just gives in and costs go up even more. Which do you want?

"Get an antenna" is useless advice when you live out of the reception area for local channels. I literally only pay DirecTV so I can watch baseball that isn't otherwise available to me, especially the Postseason. I already burned a YouTube TV trial period just so I could watch the All-Star Game. I'm losing hope that this will be fixed to be able to watch the postseason on FOX. I've always been a satisfied DirecTV customer for 17 years now. Looks like that's about to come to an end. It's a shame.

Nexstar removed the feed, DTV would continue to provide it.  Be glad you don't have Dish Nexstar removed their channels in Jan.

I'd be in the exact same position. I don't watch live TV except for baseball. I will go to whichever provider allows me to watch the Postseason. If that changes for next year, I'll be changing next year too. If DirecTV does not care about losing my business, that's their prerogative. Mine is to express my displeasure and switch, should it become necessary. If FOX is still missing on October 7, I have no choice but to switch providers.

@mcarley88 

Yes not everyone lives in good reception range. Not saying it is the sole option, just a valid one for some.

If you have DirecTV just for the local channels, then make sure you are on the Family package. That is the absolute lowest cost option DirecTV has.

I guess if baseball is that important for you, be prepared to switch on a somewhat regular basis (including paying any early cancellation fee you might have each time) since this is more common with local affiliate owners in recent years. Wish something could be done to curb these rate increases from companies like Nexstar.

@Juniper 

The nice thing is that most of the streaming providers no longer have required contracts. It is also disappointing that fans get caught in the middle of these disputes. My extreme preference would be to stick with DirecTV, which is why I haven't already switched. I've always been pleased with my service and even the pricing. But this is the one event that's a red line for me. Suppose the whole situation just makes me sad.

Too bad there cannot be a rule that a carriage agreement (even an extension) cannot expire during major sport seasons. As those local providers do rely on timing of these negotiations to best try and use us customers as leverage.

Doesn't seem to be any good solution for local channel coverage to not cause a headache on occasion.

It is Nexstar that is putting the customer is the middle by refusing to supply their feed while they talk.

@shannon02 

I can respect that point of view, but from my perspective, it doesn't matter who is at fault. I have to go where I can see the Postseason/World Series.

If needed, you could put your service on suspension (min 30 days, max 6 months) when you cannot wait any longer and want to try something else. Easier to resume an account you've liked when they get the channel back.

Just another option in the toolbag.

@Juniper 

Literally the only helpful advice I've gotten since this started. Thanks, I appreciate it!

You're welcome. I hope the Family package option was helpful as well. If all you watch are locals, no reason to be in any higher package. That is just $29.99 for the package itself, which is less than half the cost of even the Select package at current prices.

If DTV is concerned about pushing the cost down to its customers for something that is free "Over the Air," then they should redo their cost and package pricing.

Like I said I get over a 100 channels, but only watch maybe 20.

Why doesn't DTV dump the garbage channels and build new packages that feature only channels that the customers want.  Then they could justify the cost of making a deal for the free channels.  Their pricing is not competitive with the streaming market, and they are losing customers.  Perhaps DTV should focus on getting new customers.  This whole thing with Fox is ridiculous and no one wins with a Lose-Lose situation.  

@rlmyers 

It's hard to dump "garbage" channels when the network owners force providers to carry bundles of those channels along with the popular channels. That's why nobody offers a la carte channel selections. And ask yourself why providers should have to pay these owners anything for FREE off-air channels???