Nexstar Media Group on Tuesday began notifying viewers of its local TV stations across the country that they may lose access to their local news and network programming because of a looming carriage dispute with Altice USA’s Optimum.
The dispute could lead Optimum to pull dozens local TV stations and the cable news network NewsNation this week after discussions toward a new agreement apparently broke down.
If both sides are unable to reach a new agreement or an extension of its prior agreement, customers across several states would lose access to NewsNation and one or more of their local network affiliates. Optimum subscribers in the following markets would be among those to lose access to a local Nexstar-owned or operated broadcast TV station:
- Amarillo, Texas
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Cincinnati
- Houston
- Kansas City
- Lexington, Kentucky
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- Los Angeles
- New Orleans
- New York City
- Norfolk, Virginia
- Oklahoma City
- St. Louis, Missouri
- San Antonio, Texas
- Spokane, Washington
- Waco, Texas
In a statement posted to their local TV websites, a Nexstar official said characterized their offer to Optimum as “both fair and based on the importance you place on” local and national TV programs carried on their stations.
“Optimum is playing games, putting you, their customer, in the middle,” the statement said.
Nexstar did not say whether it was seeking higher distribution fees in exchange for its channels, though other companies like DirecTV have accused the broadcaster of doing just that in the past. During its third financial quarter (Q3) of 2024, Nexstar said it earned $719 million in distribution-related revenue, accounting for a sizable portion of its record $1.37 billion income that period.
A dispute with Nexstar would be the second for Optimum since the start of the year. Optimum dropped channels owned by MSG Networks in the New York City metropolitan area on January 1.
