While Nexstar Continues to Dodge FCC Rules, Optimum Focuses on Customer Choice and Value
Optimum has issued a statement regarding its ongoing negotiations with Nexstar, criticizing the broadcaster's business practices and high rate demands. The company highlights that Nexstar was previously fined by the FCC for violating TV ownership rules regarding WPIX-TV in New York, yet continues to negotiate carriage rights for the station. Optimum argues against Nexstar's practice of bundling local channels with less popular ones like NewsNation, which reportedly 90% of customers don't watch.
The company emphasizes its commitment to providing customers with choice, flexibility, and value in TV content selection. While negotiations continue, Optimum is offering alternative solutions for customers to access Nexstar-owned content, including ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, and CW stations, through various means including over-the-air antenna options.
Optimum ha rilasciato una dichiarazione riguardo le sue trattative in corso con Nexstar, criticando le pratiche commerciali della emittente e le sue elevate richieste tariffarie. L'azienda sottolinea che Nexstar è stata in precedenza multata dalla FCC per violazione delle norme sulla proprietà televisiva relative a WPIX-TV a New York, ma continua a negoziare i diritti di trasmissione per la stazione. Optimum si oppone alla pratica di Nexstar di raggruppare canali locali con quelli meno popolari come NewsNation, che secondo i rapporti il 90% dei clienti non guarda.
L'azienda enfatizza il suo impegno a offrire ai clienti scelta, flessibilità e valore nella selezione dei contenuti televisivi. Mentre le trattative continuano, Optimum sta offrendo soluzioni alternative per i clienti per accedere ai contenuti di proprietà di Nexstar, tra cui stazioni ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS e CW, attraverso vari mezzi, comprese le opzioni di antenna per ricezione terrestre.
Optimum ha emitido un comunicado respecto a sus negociaciones en curso con Nexstar, criticando las prácticas comerciales de la emisora y sus altas demandas tarifarias. La empresa destaca que Nexstar fue multado previamente por la FCC por violar las normas de propiedad de televisión relacionadas con WPIX-TV en Nueva York, pero sigue negociando los derechos de transmisión para la estación. Optimum critica la práctica de Nexstar de agrupar canales locales con otros menos populares como NewsNation, que supuestamente el 90% de los clientes no ve.
La compañía enfatiza su compromiso de proporcionar a los clientes opciones, flexibilidad y valor en la selección de contenido televisivo. Mientras las negociaciones continúan, Optimum está ofreciendo soluciones alternativas para que los clientes accedan al contenido de propiedad de Nexstar, incluyendo estaciones ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS y CW, a través de diversos medios, incluyendo opciones de antena terrestre.
Optimum는 Nexstar와의 진행 중인 협상에 대한 성명을 발표하며 방송사의 비즈니스 관행과 높은 요금 요구를 비판했습니다. 이 회사는 Nexstar가 뉴욕의 WPIX-TV와 관련된 TV 소유 규정을 위반하여 FCC로부터 이전에 벌금을 부과 받았으나 여전히 해당 방송의 송출 권리를 협상하고 있다고 강조합니다. Optimum은 Nexstar의 관행에 반대합니다 지역 채널을 NewsNation과 같은 덜 인기 있는 채널과 묶는 것을 지적하며, 보고에 따르면 고객의 90%가 이를 시청하지 않는다고 합니다.
회사는 고객에게 TV 콘텐츠 선택에서 선택권, 유연성 및 가치를 제공할 것이라는 약속을 강조합니다. 협상이 계속되는 동안 Optimum은 ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS 및 CW 방송국의 Nexstar 소유 콘텐츠에 접근할 수 있는 대체 솔루션을 고객에게 제공하고 있으며, 이를 위해 공중파 안테나 옵션 등을 포함한 다양한 방법을 통해 제공합니다.
Optimum a publié un communiqué concernant ses négociations en cours avec Nexstar, critiquant les pratiques commerciales de ce diffuseur et ses demandes de tarifs élevés. L'entreprise souligne que Nexstar a précédemment été condamnée par la FCC pour avoir violé les règles de propriété de télévision concernant WPIX-TV à New York, mais continue de négocier les droits de diffusion pour cette station. Optimum s'oppose à la pratique de Nexstar de regrouper des chaînes locales avec des chaînes moins populaires comme NewsNation, que apparemment 90 % des clients ne regardent pas.
L'entreprise met en avant son engagement à offrir aux clients des choix, de la flexibilité et de la valeur dans la sélection des contenus télévisuels. Alors que les négociations se poursuivent, Optimum propose des solutions alternatives aux clients pour accéder aux contenus détenus par Nexstar, y compris les stations ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS et CW, par divers moyens, y compris des options d'antenne terrestre.
Optimum hat eine Erklärung zu seinen laufenden Verhandlungen mit Nexstar abgegeben und die Geschäftspraktiken des Senders sowie dessen hohen Preisforderungen kritisiert. Das Unternehmen hebt hervor, dass Nexstar von der FCC wegen Verstößen gegen die Fernseheigentumsregeln im Zusammenhang mit WPIX-TV in New York früher bereits mit einer Geldstrafe belegt wurde, weiterhin aber die Übertragungsrechte für den Sender verhandelt. Optimum spricht sich gegen die Praxis von Nexstar aus, lokale Sender mit weniger beliebten wie NewsNation zu bündeln, die angeblich 90 % der Kunden nicht sehen.
Das Unternehmen betont sein Engagement, den Kunden Wahlmöglichkeiten, Flexibilität und Wert bei der Auswahl von TV-Inhalten zu bieten. Während die Verhandlungen weitergehen, bietet Optimum alternative Lösungen an, damit Kunden auf die von Nexstar betriebenen Inhalte, einschließlich der Sender ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS und CW, über verschiedene Kanäle, einschließlich Möglichkeiten über Antennen, zugreifen können.
- None.
- Potential loss of major network content (ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, CW) due to failed negotiations
- Risk of customer churn if popular content becomes unavailable
- Ongoing dispute with major content provider affecting service offerings
Insights
The ongoing dispute between Optimum (ATUS) and Nexstar represents a critical inflection point in the evolving TV distribution landscape. The conflict centers on carriage fees and bundling practices, with broader implications for the cable industry's business model. Nexstar's alleged FCC violations regarding WPIX-TV ownership rules and their aggressive negotiating tactics highlight the increasing tension between content providers and distributors.
The dispute's financial impact on Altice USA (ATUS) could be material. Historical data shows that prolonged carriage disputes typically result in subscriber churn rates increasing by
A concerning aspect is Nexstar's bundling of low-viewership channels like NewsNation with must-have local broadcast stations. This practice typically inflates carriage costs by
The FCC's previous ruling against Nexstar regarding WPIX-TV ownership violations adds a complex regulatory dimension to this dispute. The continued negotiation despite regulatory censure suggests potential enforcement challenges in the broadcast market's current framework. This situation exposes critical gaps in existing media ownership regulations and their practical enforcement.
The conflict exemplifies the broader industry shift away from traditional bundled TV packages. Optimum's emphasis on customer choice and alternative delivery methods aligns with evolving consumer preferences and regulatory priorities focusing on competition and consumer choice. The outcome could influence future FCC policy decisions regarding broadcast carriage negotiations and media ownership concentration.
Optimum Provides Solutions to Bring Customers Their Local News, Sports, and Entertainment Content – Call, Chat, or Visit Optimum.com/Nexstar Today
Further to their egregious rate demands – the highest of any broadcasting group – and anti-consumer negotiating tactics, which includes tying local channels to less popular ones and forcing specific and conflicting content carriage, Nexstar also continues to skirt the FCC and various regulations in place to protect consumers.
Optimum issues the following statement on its negotiations with Nexstar and disappointment in their continued anti-consumer stance and disregard for their viewers’ best interests:
“Last year, the FCC found that Nexstar’s role in negotiating carriage rights for WPIX-TV in
This move speaks volumes to Nexstar’s playbook – buy up the rights to as many local broadcast stations possible and then demand that consumers pay more to watch all Nexstar-owned content, no matter where they live or what they actually want to watch.
Enough is enough. At Optimum, we do not believe it is fair that customers should be forced to pay for channels like NewsNation, which
Despite all of this, we remain open to continued negotiations with Nexstar to restore their programming on Optimum TV lineups. In the meantime, customers who are looking to watch Nexstar-owned content can continue to do so for free over the air with an antenna or visit www.optimum.com/Nexstar to learn more about the solutions Optimum is making available to them.”
For more information, today Optimum filed this letter with the FCC related to its ongoing negotiations with Nexstar.
Steps for Customers to Take:
- Customers can rest assured – Optimum has video solutions so that customers can continue watching Nexstar-owned stations, including ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS and/or the CW. Chat with us or go to www.optimum.com/Nexstar to learn more.
- Consumer viewing habits have changed dramatically over the last few years and gone are the days of one-size-fits-all content packages, so Optimum is tailoring its offerings to meet customer needs individually. Optimum brings consumers a wide range of options that provide choice, flexibility and value.
- Optimum teams are ready to help customers find the best packages for them. Call us at 866-347-4784, chat with us or visit www.optimum.com/Nexstar to learn more.
About Optimum
Optimum is a brand of Altice USA, one of the largest broadband communications and video services providers in
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250113169114/en/
Media:
Heather Besler
(631) 660-8321
Heather.Besler@optimum.com
Erin Smyth
(917) 565-2480
Erin.smyth@optimum.com
Source: Altice USA
FAQ
What channels might Optimum customers lose due to the Nexstar dispute?
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