Viewers trying to watch WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) on DirecTV are now in the same boat Comcast users were earlier this spring.
The local ABC affiliate, along with WMYD-TV (Channel 20), has been removed from DirecTV as of Sunday.
“OUR CONTRACT WITH THIS STATION’S OWNER HAS RECENTLY EXPIRED,” a note reads on DirecTV and U-verse subscribers’ televisions turned to WXYZ. “We are working to return your programming as soon as possible and apologize for any temporary inconvenience.”
A post on WXYZ’s website acknowledges the carrier dispute, and routes viewers toward a phone number, 1-855-KEEP-US-1, to call and ask for the channels to be restored.
The tiff mirrors a dispute between Scripps, which owns WXYZ and WMYD, and Comcast, which led to a five-week blackout that stretched from March 31 to May 5.
It’s part of a larger battle that is affecting 54 local Scripps stations in 36 markets, including Baltimore, Nashville, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Milwaukee, Kansas City and Cincinnati, Variety reports.
Both sides are blaming each other in the dispute and have released warring statements.
In a statement, DirecTV said Scripps “is demanding the highest rates DIRECTV has ever received from a station group, which would continue to dramatically raise costs for consumers and businesses already struggling with affordability.”
Scripps, meanwhile, said DirecTV “has elected to remove Scripps local stations from their lineup, employing the same heavy-handed tactics that have become synonymous with pay-TV operators who hurt their own subscribers by using them as bargaining chips in contractual disputes.”
Viewers are directed to watch WXYZ via antenna, streaming apps or on other broadcast services.
“Our priority is to make sure that you continue to have access to the sports, news, weather and traffic updates that support your daily life, in addition to all the great programs we know you love,” the note on WXYZ’s website reads.
At the end of the Comcast dispute, customer accounts were credited with a one-time “Broadcast Fee” of $9.62 on their monthly bills to make up for the inconvenience.
agraham@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: WXYZ, WMYD blacked out for local DirecTV subscribers
Reporting by Adam Graham, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
