Carriage dispute between Tegna and AT&T impacts ability to watch NFL

Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns put together an electric first half against the Tennessee Titans, with Mayfield throwing for four touchdown passes. But DirecTV and AT&T U-Verse customers couldn’t see any of that action in the Washington area due to a carriage dispute.

AT&T and Tegna, a broadcasting corporation headquartered in Virginia, couldn’t come to an agreement for a new deal on Tuesday, resulting in more than 60 Tegna channels across 51 markets blacking out.

That has impacted customers’ ability to watch football. WUSA-9, the CBS-affiliate located in Washington, D.C., has been blacked out for DirecTV and AT&T U-Verse customers. As has WWL-TV in New Orleans, meaning local fans can’t watch the Saints play the Atlanta Falcons. KHOU-11 in Houston is also impacted, meaning fans missed out on Saturday’s game between LSU and Alabama, as well as Sunday NFL action.

“Unfortunately, DirecTV AT&T U-Verse have not come to an agreement with Tegna to keep our stations available on their services,” a statement from Tegna read. “Our company has successfully negotiated multi-year deals with hundreds of cable and satellite providers across the country without disruptions to service.”

Tegna said it is negotiating and good faith and remains committed to reaching an agreement worth a fair market value. AT&T, however, claims Tegna’s rate increase is exorbitant.

“In the midst of an ongoing pandemic, Tegna is demanding the largest rate increase we have ever seen, and intentionally blacking out its most loyal viewers,” AT&T said in a statement. “We challenge Tegna to return its local stations immediately while we finalize a new agreement and pledge to pay Tegna retroactively whatever higher rates to which we eventually agree. We share our customers’ frustration, appreciate their patience and intend to do all we can to resolve this matter soon.”