Broadcast interruption ended between Nexstar and Altice USA
In a recent development, Nexstar Media Group and Altice USA have reached an agreement that immediately restored all Nexstar stations and NewsNation programming to Altice's Optimum TV customers.
The distribution dispute, which had led to the blackout of Nexstar stations and NewsNation on Optimum TV, primarily revolved around carriage fees and channel placement disagreements. Altice's Optimum cable service accused Nexstar of trying to force it to expand NewsNation's availability to more viewers despite its reportedly low viewership.
The impasse caused a significant loss of local network channels for Optimum subscribers. The blackout involved 63 Nexstar-owned local TV stations (including affiliates of ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC) and NewsNation programming. The blackout also affected NewsNation on cable systems operated by Altice around the country.
Negotiations stalled due to disagreements over the financial terms of carriage and distribution scope for NewsNation. This dispute was not an isolated conflict; Optimum was simultaneously involved in other carriage disputes, indicating a broader pattern of tough renegotiations in 2025.
The financial elements of the new distribution agreement between Nexstar Media Group and Altice USA were not specified. The terms of the agreement were kept confidential, and no public disclosure of financial terms was made.
Despite the lack of financial disclosure, the agreement was a relief for Optimum TV customers who had been without their favourite local news and programming for approximately 8 days, from January 10 to January 18.
The new distribution agreement between Nexstar Media Group and Altice USA marks the end of the blackout and the return of Nexstar stations and NewsNation to Optimum's service. Both parties have not commented on the specific financial details of the agreement.
The recent agreement between Nexstar Media Group and Altice USA ends a television distribution dispute that resulted in a blackout of Nexstar stations and NewsNation programming on Altice's Optimum TV. The financial terms of the agreement were kept confidential, with no public disclosure of details. The blackout affected Optimum's service, including 63 Nexstar-owned local TV stations and NewsNation programming. The agreement follows a pattern of tough negotiations in the media industry, as Optimum was also involved in other carriage disputes in 2025. The returning of Nexstar stations and NewsNation to Optimum's service marks the end of the blackout and a relief for Optimum TV customers who had been without their favorite local news and programming for approximately 8 days. The agreement between these two major players in the media and finance sectors is a significant event in the nextgen TV and content industry.
