DirecTV and Cox Media to showdown retransmission over ‘attacks’ on local journalism

After locking horns before agreeing to their last broadcast retransmission deal two years ago, DirecTV and Cox Media Group appear ready to do the ol’ dance again, with the station group on Thursday evening sending out a press release accusing the pay TV operator of “attacking local journalism.”

The current agreement expires on Feb. 2 (notably, after this weekend’s NFC and AFC championship games.) And a blackout would impact 13 network affiliates in nine markets. Notably, only two of these affiliates are CBS, which will show next month’s Super Bowl. (See the graphic below).

“CMG is proud of our commitment to investing in best-in-class local news and investigative journalism,” said Marian Pittman, executive VP of Cox, in the statement. “We’re dismayed that DirecTV is trying to force a deal that would harm local journalism and broadcast stations. This hurts consumers who rely on our high-quality local news, weather, and entertainment programming.”

Anxious to put the microphone in DirecTV’s face for a reply — “They used the word ‘dismayed,’ how does that make you feel?!’ — we sent a late-night email to El Segundo headquarters. We’re waiting for a reply.

DirecTV just resolved a two-month blackout with Tegna two weeks ago. As for Cox, it’s been beefing with Dish since November 2022.

Adding to the drama: Cox President and CEO Dan York used to be a top DirecTV executive.

DirecTV followed up with this statement Friday morning: “We are working with Cox Media Group to reach a new agreement that will align the value and quality customers receive with the price they pay. Our request to Cox Media Group is simple, don’t force your viewers who are our customers, to pay an unwarranted rate increase for ‘free’ news, sports and entertainment that is widely available on local station websites, through an over-the-air digital antenna and direct-to-consumer streaming platforms.”

Should a blackout occur, DirecTV said it would work with any bereaved customer in regards to their monthly bill. Yahoo