ATVA Responds to Nexstar’s Record Breaking Blackout of DISH Customers

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, ATVA responded to the week’s latest broadcast blackout – this time imposed by Nexstar and impacting millions of DISH subscribers across the country. Nexstar’s signal disruption, began this evening and has resulted in the largest blackout in TV history – affecting 164 local stations across 120 markets in 42 states and Washington, D.C. 
 
“This record-breaking blackout is not only exploitative, but also an endangerment to the health and safety of countless Americans who rely on their local news for up-to-date coronavirus information,” stated Jessica Kendust, ATVA spokesperson.
 
Nexstar’s blackout is just another in a series of broadcast blackouts this holiday season.  On Tuesday evening, Tegna pulled the signal of more than 60 local stations in 52 markets from AT&T users.
 
“We thought the ongoing global pandemic may have curbed big broadcast from leveraging consumer access during retrans negotiations. Unfortunately, two separate major blackouts this week alone have proven us wrong,” stated Kendust. 

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The American Television Alliance (ATVA) brings together an unprecedented coalition of consumer groups, cable, satellite, telephone companies, and independent programmers to raise awareness about the risk TV viewers face as broadcasters increasingly threaten service disruptions that would deny viewers access to the programs they and their families enjoy.