Nexstar Dispute

@PCBPCBPCB 

If you cannot live without Nexstar channels I understand seeking other options. If you haven't already tried, I would look into a regular antenna to see about getting the free broadcast. It would both protect you during carriage negotiations (no matter what local affiliate owner it is), but might also pick up sub-channels. And option to use no matter the TV provider you have. If you live where a antenna wouldn't work, then fair enough going with another provider.

Every once in a while someone mentions this situation means DirecTV has no loyalty to their customers which I find ignores that the other option is not the "loyalty" people look for. The alternative was DirecTV just caving to the higher rates which adds into the next price adjustment to our bills. And even higher costs is not something people consider "loyal". A darned if you do, darned if you don't situation. And how is Nexstar pushing for higher costs with each TV provider to the point they pull the channels away showing loyalty to their viewers? Because of these factors, I think the term "loyalty" gets thrown around too much.

What I would love to see is the cost of locals itemized on the bill again (like when DirecTV first got access to locals as an add-on) and have only those who must have Nexstar pay for them. That way those of us who prefer to watch pay TV channels (instead of the 'free' locals we can get over the regular airways), or don't live in a Nexstar controlled area, don't have to foot the bill for the others.

If you use your locals for news only, another option is to download a few of the News apps and check to see if they carry your local channels, that you are missing. Apps like New On, Haystack News, or Fox Local. 

I think most of us, affected by the Nexstar dispute, have other local channels to watch for local news.

I do wish DIRECTV could offer national feeds of the major networks that are involved in the dispute. I understand contractural concerns but it would seem to be in DIRECTV’s interest to offer this as added pressure on Nexstar. 

@nashman320 

Local news is part of it, but special shows and especially sports are the big reasons why other channels don't work for people. And that is something the channel owners bank on.

It is not contractual concerns, but DirecTV is FORBIDDEN from providing other local feeds (even the national feed) per Federal regulations. This is something the local channel owners heavily lobbied Congress for, including having the Stelar Act expire with no chance of renewal. So yes it would be in DirecTV's interest, but they simply are not allowed. They may only provide what is in the customer's Designated Market Area (DMA).

@JPguy 

A regular antenna is simply a suggestion. Some people don't realize the free broadcasts are still there, thinking they shut down years ago when all that happened was the transition to digital. Yes having on pay TV has the luxury of not switching inputs, but that antenna can still be a backup that would be easier than switching entire providers every time something like this comes up. I respect it is not the best option for everybody.

Halfway may be the most likely best case scenario. Nexstar wants their higher rates which the TV providers balk at. My concern is any rate hike DirecTV agrees to affects our bills that much more. Even only halfway, as this keeps happening every time the agreement comes up (Nexstar and others) how much more are viewers going to be willing to pay for the free locals and for how long to accept those increases?

What should happen, the companies that advertise on Nexstar stations should demand a reduction in the advertising rates, during a failed negotiation, and stations get removed from a providers lineup. I am sure it would get Nexstar to rethink their strategy. 

I just signed up for DTV Stream and was not told about this dispute with Nexstar, even by the phone rep that took my call. I gave her my information and she asked if I was leaving Spectrum because of their dispute with Disney. I told her that was just one of the reasons. She then said, "well, you'll be able to watch Monday Night Football" never mentioning that I will be losing out on two of the four major networks, local and national. Missing ABC college football Saturday, and Sunday Night Football on NBC, between the Giants and Cowboys. Thank God, I didn't cancel all of Spectrum yet and streamed the games. I have 14 days to cancel Direct TV (without a fee) and find something that gives us local channels and sports without subscribing to all these ridiculous streaming combos. We've gone from channel surfing to app surfing and trying to manage all your subscription fees and internet costs. 

I will find a solution. Even with all the corporate greed going on. Digital Antennas are cheap and pull in about 20 Crystal Clear channels, even in our small market. That and a decent movie on demand streaming app (about $20 a month), along with all the other free streaming stuff, and we should be just fine.

The upside of all the disputes and finger pointing is that while they are trying to identify the bad guy, they tell us how we can get what their fighting about, for free and what all of our options are.  I personally have always liked the pay-one-price parks, with one reasonable fee, you ride anything you want.

So, DTV, you have about 10 days left for me to cancel and move on to other options. Let me know who wins!

Phil M

@Phil_m 

Sadly, nobody wins. The corporations that own these stations demand more and more money from providers like DirecTV, Dish, Spectrum, Comcast, and even streaming providers. As viewers, we lose. And stations lose viewers which impacts their advertising revenue. And so these corporations want more money from TV providers to boost their profits. As you know, switching providers won't help. They all go through this. An off-air antenna remains the only sure solution, if you can use one. 

@Juniper and others who suggesting antennas: the problem is recording the shows, football games, etc. Most of us are watching a recording. And while there are boxes that can be bought, they are expensive. So, sticking with the idea that the markets sorts these things out, does anyone know of a way to record over-the-air signals from local stations and record them to the cloud? If not, there is good business that could be built on this. 

posted the comment then did a search. Found a company, https://www.cloudantenna.tv/cloudantenna/. Anyone ever tried this?

Of course, you can always cancel and seek another service. You may return when ever you like.

I’m seeing that the ABC/ESPN dispute with Charter/Spectrum is now over,  in a matter days….DIRECTV/Nexstar please take note.

And before lectures begin, I know the issues are different. 

@PCBPCBPCB 

If you have an HR24 or earlier DVR, check around and see if you can get an AM21. That allows you to integrate the regular antenna into your DVR and can record.

For those that have the 2nd/3rd generation Genie (HR44/HR54), there is the Local Channel Connector (LCC). It technically is still in testing, but some people who managed to acquire one for various reasons no longer need it. It comes with a basic antenna, but you can use a better one of your choice if needed.

I hope the new co-owner finishes the LCC for national launch or develops a new version of it. It would be a big help against these carriage negotiations with local affiliate owners.

@nashman320 

Most carriage negotiations we don't even hear about as they are behind the scenes. Sometimes they are short like you shared and sometimes longer like Nexstar (which unfortunately is becoming more common for local affiliates).

I get you want DirecTV/Nexstar to take note of a quicker resolution example, but as you say, the issues are different. All we can do now is wait and make whatever choices we must.

@ksmith478 

Pretty much no as not an option. Terms of Service (ToS) limit us customers to binding arbitration and like other TV providers they have a clause that channels and their programming may change at any time. Nothing entitles us to Nexstar-owned channels or any others in particular.

https://www.directv.com/legal/directv-residential-customer-agreement/

Our Programming Changes. Many factors affect the availability, cost and quality of programming and may influence the decision to raise prices and the amount of any increase. These include, among others, programming and other costs, consumer demand, market and shareholder expectations, and changing business conditions. Accordingly, we reserve the unrestricted right to change, rearrange, add or delete our programming packages, the selections in those packages, our prices, technologies used to deliver the Service, and any other Service we offer, at any time.