CNN —DirecTV and Nexstar announced Monday that they had largely resolved a bitter carriage dispute that had left millions of the satellite carrier’s subscribers unable to access local television giant Nexstar’s large array of channels.
The deal to end the blackout, which began in July and stretched for more than 75 days, comes one week after Disney and Charter also agreed to resolve a dispute that resulted in ABC-owned stations and ESPN being yanked from the cable provider’s lineup.
While most of Nexstar’s stations will be covered under the new multi-year agreement, DirecTV said 27 stations controlled by Nexstar, but owned by another company, will not fall under the umbrella.
DirecTV chief executive Bill Morrow alluded to the trend in a note to customers on Monday.
“Unfortunately, over the past decade-plus access to your programming has become a battleground for networks and stations to try to drive up higher rates,” Morrow said.
Persons:
Bill Morrow, “, ” Morrow
Organizations:
CNN, DirecTV, Nexstar, NFL, Disney, ABC, ESPN