DirectTV Successfully Claims $26.6 Million from Nexstar in Dispute over Television Transmission Rights
In a significant legal battle, satellite television provider DirecTV has secured a judgment of $26.6 million against Nexstar Media Group. The dispute revolves around retransmission fees for WHAG, a Maryland station owned by Nexstar.
The judgment, issued by the Supreme Court of the State of New York in July 2024, found that Nexstar had fraudulently collected retransmission fees from DirecTV. The court ruling was based on Nexstar's continued collection of fees for WHAG after it lost its NBC affiliation in July 2016.
During retransmission consent negotiations, DirecTV accused Nexstar of knowing about the pending loss of its NBC affiliation but failing to disclose it. As a result, DirecTV stopped paying the Unlaunched Station Fees when they discovered WHAG had become an independent station.
The judgment covers the amounts overpaid for retransmission consent for WHAG between 2015 and February 2016. The New York State Court ruled in DirecTV's favor, finding that Nexstar had fraudulently collected $10.5 million in retransmission fees from DirecTV.
Nexstar, however, has the right to appeal the decision. As of the current information available, there is no public or recent update on any Supreme Court of New York Appellate Division judgment specifically against Nexstar Media Group regarding this case.
It is worth noting that NBC is the longtime owner of its Washington affiliate, WRC, but WHAG was the then-affiliate in the Washington, D.C., market. The Supreme Court of the State of New York is a lower court in the state's court system.
The case between DirecTV and Nexstar has been ongoing since at least July 2024. The judgment issued by the Supreme Court of the State of New York noted that Nextar has the right to appeal. However, the judgment does not specify whether Nexstar has already initiated the appeal process.
The judgment does not mention any changes in the amount of the award or the interest since the initial ruling in July 2024. After the judgment, Nexstar stated it would be further appealing the decision.
For the latest and most accurate information, it is recommended to check official court dockets or credible news sources for updates beyond what is currently indexed.
- The Supreme Court of the State of New York ruled in favor of DirecTV, finding that Nexstar Media Group had fraudulently collected $10.5 million in retransmission fees for WHAG.
- The court judgment against Nexstar Media Group, issued in July 2024, covered the overpaid retransmission fees for WHAG between 2015 and February 2016.
- DirecTV paused Unlaunched Station Fees when it discovered WHAG had become an independent station, accusing Nexstar of failing to disclose the pending loss of its NBC affiliation during retransmission consent negotiations.
- Nexstar has the right to appeal the $26.6 million judgment, but as of the current information available, no recent update on the appeal process has been made public.
