All articles tagged with #local tv stations
Disney and other media companies argue in FCC filings that current network-affiliate relationships, exemplified by Jimmy Kimmel's suspension, are functioning properly, while local station owners push for regulatory changes to address perceived imbalances and protect local programming amid industry tensions and streaming competition.
DirecTV will offer customers the option to opt out of local TV stations and receive a $12 monthly discount, as part of a new "No Locals" package, in response to consumer demand for more affordable and customizable pay TV options. This move comes amid a retransmission dispute with Tegna and reflects a shift towards a la carte offerings for local stations.
EW Scripps CEO Adam Symson believes that Wall Street's reaction to the new sports joint venture is overblown, as investors seem to be overlooking the inclusion of local ABC and Fox affiliates in the new bundle. He stated that affiliates will be compensated for being carried along and that the joint venture will work collaboratively with all local broadcast affiliate partners. Symson also expressed skepticism about the potential success of the new bundle, suggesting that a smaller bundle at a price of $40 or $50 per month probably won't have a large audience, and that sports fans won't be satisfied with a partial offering.
Local TV station owners, represented by the Coalition for Local News, are demanding that the FCC reclassify live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu, and Fubo as cable TV companies. This would require streaming services to negotiate directly with local TV station owners instead of the big networks. If successful, it would change how the FCC regulates live TV streaming services and potentially result in higher costs for consumers. Major media companies and streaming services have formed their own coalition to lobby against the rule change. The outcome of this battle could lead to new negotiations, potential blackouts, and increased prices for streaming services.
DirecTV has removed Nexstar Media Group's network and local community programming from its systems after failing to reach a new distribution agreement. Nexstar offered to extend the current agreement, but DirecTV rejected it. The removal affects markets in Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Denver, and St. Louis. DirecTV claims that Nexstar demanded more than double the current viewer fees, leading to the loss of rights to offer network partners ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CW stations, and the cable news service NewsNation. Both companies are in discussions to resolve the issue.
Gray Television is testing a new version of its Roku app for its local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC stations. The new and improved WBAY app, version 2.0, will make catching the latest live newscasts, 24/7 First Alert Weather, and streaming all breaking news easier than ever. The app has been moved to the bottom of the Roku homescreen, but users can easily move it to the top for easy access. The new version will be available on Roku to 100 various other Gray Media stations, as well as eventually launching on FireTV and AppleTV.