Broadcast Stations Owned by Nexstar No Longer Available on Altice USA's Cable Service (Optimum)
Nexstar Media Group's local TV stations have been blacked out on Altice USA's Optimum-branded cable systems since 5 p.m. on Jan. 10. This blackout includes Nexstar's national cable news network, NewsNation.
The dispute between the two companies revolves around retransmission consent agreements, with Altice USA accusing Nexstar of using anti-consumer negotiation tactics and demanding exorbitant rates, the highest of any broadcasting group. Nexstar, on the other hand, has stated that Altice has made unreasonable demands.
Altice USA offered an extension to keep Nexstar's content on the air during negotiations, but Nexstar refused. The cable provider claims that Nexstar is tying local channels to less popular ones like NewsNation, a move that 90% of Optimum customers (more than 1.2 million) never tune in to in any given month.
Nexstar is demanding expanded distribution of NewsNation to hundreds of thousands more customers. However, Altice USA states that Nexstar's 'all or nothing' approach is in no one's best interest but their own.
Optimum remains open to continued negotiations with Nexstar to reach a fair new deal to restore their programming on Optimum TV lineups. Customers can continue to watch Nexstar-owned content for free with an antenna, or they can take advantage of Optimum's website offer for a free trial and then 30% off the first two months for the vMVPD Fubo.
Both sides have traded barbs following the impasse, with Michael Biard, Nexstar president and chief operating officer, stating that Altice's financial situation, burdened by billions in debt, is not a solution to force Optimum subscribers to pay more while getting less.
As of the latest available data, there is no confirmed update on a retransmission consent dispute between Nexstar Media Group and Altice USA. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, checking recent news releases or official statements from the companies would be necessary.
It's worth noting that Altice USA dropped the MSG Network just last week, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing negotiations.
Optimum's website provides detailed viewing options for accessing other upcoming football games during the blackout. The company urges its customers to stay tuned for updates on the situation.
- The retransmission consent dispute between Nexstar Media Group and Altice USA centres around video content, with Nexstar demanding expanded distribution for 4K broadcasts of NewsNation to altice's customer base.
- Altice USA, not finding the terms negotiated by Nexstar reasonable, accuses the broadcaster of using anti-consumer tactics and demanding exorbitant rates, the highest of any broadcasting group.
- Though Altice USA offered an extension to keep Nexstar's content on the air during negotiations, Nexstar refused, leading to the blackout of various local TV stations and NewsNation on Optimum-branded cable systems.
- During the blackout, customers can continue to watch Nexstar-owned content for free with an antenna or take advantage of Optimum's website offer for a free trial and then 30% off the first two months for the vMVPD Fubo to access nextgen TV services.
- In a statement, Michael Biard, Nexstar president and chief operating officer, criticized Altice's financial situation, suggesting that its debts should not force Optimum subscribers to pay more while getting less.
- Optimum remains open to negotiations with Nexstar to reach a fair new deal that would restore their programming on Optimum TV lineups, but the negotiations appear to be stalled, as there is no confirmed update on a retransmission consent agreement.
- It's worth noting that a similar retransmission consent dispute forced Altice USA to drop the MSG Network just last week, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing negotiations between these two companies.
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