Keep Local24 and CW30!
DIRECTV and AT&T U-verse subscribers no longer have access to Local24 & CW30 as AT&T and DIRECTV did not accept our extension for continued carriage of Local24 & CW30 during our contract negotiations to avoid disruption of service. Contact DIRECTV and AT&T U-verse today at 855-937-9462 [for Local24] & 855-937-9637 [for CW30] and demand that they “Bring back my Local24 and CW30!”
DIRECTV / AT&T U-verse Customer Service – 855-937-9665
Q: What is happening?
A: DIRECTV andAT&T U-verse subscribers no longer have access to Local24 & CW30station as of midnight CST on July 3, 2019. DIRECTV and AT&T U-verse did not accept a contract extension offerby Nexstar Media, parent company of Local24 & CW30 for the right to continueto air your favorite news stories around the Memphis area. By rejecting anextension for continued negotiations and to avoid a disruption of service, AT&Tand DIRECTV took away content that you pay for and was included with your monthlysubscription. They are no longer providing the content you initially signed upfor when you subscribed to their service.
Q: What other programming could I miss?
A: You no longer have access to your local news,emergency service updates, and your favorite shows such as the season finale ofthe Bachelorette, new seasons of The Good Doctor, American Idol, and the finalseason of Modern Family.
Q: Where will Local24/CW30 programming still be available?
A: No othercable or satellite company is affected; only DIRECTV and AT&T U-verse customershave had their favorite news, comedies, dramas, and sports taken away. Unfortunately, we are not alone in this as AT&Tand DIRECTV have removed various other stations across the nation in thepast. Among the other providersavailable that see the value in local content include DISH (855-898-6730) and yourlocal cable company.
Q: Are you still negotiating with AT&T and DIRECTV?
A: Wewere negotiating and offered to extend our current deal multiple times while wevigorously attempted to provide both sides more time to reach a fairagreement. In the time leading up to the expiration of the agreement withDIRECTV/AT&T, Nexstar not only offered an extension until August 2, it alsooffered DIRECTV/AT&T its availability “over the next 30 days to meet withyou in-person on the following dates: July 12, 13, 14, 15, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 as well as August 1 and 2”adding, “We are willing to dedicate as many of these dates as needed. Not knowing when you and your decision makersare available, to avoid any disruption in service to your customers and ourviewers in 97 markets across the country, we propose an extension of thecurrent agreement through Friday August 2nd.” This extension was not accepted.
Q: Is this abnormal for AT&T and DIRECTV to remove local programming from their lineup?
A: DIRECTV isroutinely involved in disputes with content providers and following its 2015acquisition by AT&T, it has dropped or threatened to black out various networkand local community programming. Between May 30, 2019 and June 10, 2019 alone,viewers of at least 20 other non-Nexstar stations (owned by Deerfield Media,GoCom Media of Illinois, Howard Stirk Holdings, Mercury Broadcast Group, MPSMedia, Nashville License Holdings, Roberts Media, Second Generation of Iowa andWaitt Broadcasting) lost access to network and local content as a resultAT&T/DIRECTV’s refusal to accept fair market rates for the distribution ofleading non-AT&T programming.
Q: What can I do about this situation?
A: You havechoices and should take action. Call 855-937-9462 [for Local24]& 855-937-9637 [for CW30]and demand they bringback your favorite local news source! You can also contact other localproviders – including DISH (855-898-6730) – and switch to make sure you aretreated fairly and get the programming you want. Don’t let your video provider dictate whatyou watch! Demand they bring back the local station and content you want anddeserve!
