Overview
- Programming on 54 Scripps Local Media stations in 36 Nielsen markets went dark on DirecTV starting at 7 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 31 after the companies failed to agree on a new carriage deal.
- DirecTV says Scripps demanded the highest retransmission rates it has ever seen, while Scripps says it has negotiated in good faith and accused DirecTV of removing the channels.
- The outage has practical effects for viewers by blocking local news, emergency information and ABC’s broadcasts of the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final, with DirecTV directing customers to apps like ESPN and Scripps suggesting antennas or other streaming services.
- Scripps’ recent purchases of local live-sports rights for multiple NHL teams and an NBA team are cited by industry observers as increasing the stations’ value and complicating fee talks, though Scripps’ CEO has denied using sports as explicit leverage.
- Carriage fights over retransmission consent are common and driven by broadcasters seeking per-subscriber payments while distributors push back to contain costs, and the long-term outcome could affect pay-TV bills, local station revenue and how local sports are distributed.