Hearst Stations Pulled in Dispute With DirecTV

Hearst Television said Sunday its stations’ signals have been pulled from DirecTV after the two sides reached an impasse in retransmission negotiations.

The old agreement expired Dec. 31.

“We have made significant investments to deliver top tier programming to our viewers and DirecTV is seeking the right to carry our stations at below market rates, which is neither fair nor reasonable<” Hearst said in a statement via its stations. “We regret the inconvenience DirecTV’s demands have caused its subscribers, and we will keep you fully informed of developments.”

The stations added that they are not “blacked out.” “You may continue to receive our station for free, over the air, or by other satellite distribution, and, where available, from cable operators,” Hearst said.

Hearst offered advice on getting an antenna at a http://www.antennaweb.org/.

Hearst says it owns and operates local TV and radio stations in 26 markets across 39 states.

Jon Lafayette

Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.