Extreme Contract Demands Could Leave Viewers in the Dark

Though TDS has never gone dark with any major network, Nexstar Broadcasting Inc., (Nexstar), may refuse to allow TDS to retransmit several local stations across the country. Despite TDS’ best efforts at keeping these stations on, TDS customers in small to mid-size communities in Indiana, Tennessee, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, and Oregon may find local stations will no longer be retransmitted on the TDS lineup starting at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2018, when the current contract expires.

At the core of the issue is retransmission consent contracts, which are often renegotiated at this time of year. These contracts affect many markets and stations across the country, and price increases are fairly standard. However, in this case, Nexstar is demanding increases far outside the norm--up to 175% for continued carriage of one of their stations. TDS feels it is important to protect our customers from unreasonable rate hikes like these. The goal is to continue negotiations until a fair agreement can be reached.

Nexstar’s on-air and website communications to customers have been misleading, stating that “TDS is threatening to take away your local stations.” In fact, TDS is not threatening to take down stations, but prefers to continue to keep them on while both parties continue to negotiate. If TDS and Nexstar cannot reach an agreement, it is Nexstar that could force TDS to take the stations down until a new contract is reached.

If TDS is forced to remove these stations, Nexstar is demonstrating that they value their corporate profits more than their viewers. However, TDS will continue to work diligently to negotiate for reasonable rates and terms to bring these stations back to the TDS lineup.

The following communities and stations will be impacted:

TDSTV Markets: Learn more at: https://tdstelecom.com/tvupdates

Indiana communities: Amo, Clayton, Coatesville, Colfax, Linden, Mooresville, New Richmond, Plainfield, Stilesville, Tipton, Whitestown, Wingate, and Zionsville -- Stations: WNDY (My Network and Bounce) and WISH (CW, getTV, and Justice).

Tennessee communities: Farragut-Halls Crossroads area -- Stations: WATE (ABC, Laff and getTV); Mt. Juliet and La Vergne area; Stations: WKRN (ABC, Justice and MeTV). 

Cable Markets: Learn more at: https://hellotds.com/tvupdates

Colorado communities: Cortez - Stations: KREZ (CBS) and KBIM (FOX); Fort Carson - Stations: KXTU (CW) and KXRM (FOX); and Woodland Park - Stations: KXRM (FOX).

Nevada: Mesquite -- Stations: KLAS (CBS and MeTV).

New Mexico communities: Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Eunice, Hobbs, Lovington, and Ruidoso areas   -- Stations: KBIM (CBS and FOX); Socorro -- Stations: KRQE (CBS and FOX); and Truth or Consequences -- Stations: KRQE (CBS) and KBIM (FOX). 

Texas communities: Alpine and Fort Stockton - Stations: KMID (ABC); Seminole - Stations: KLBK (CBS).

Utah communities: Cedar City and St. George - Stations: KTVX (ABC and MeTV) and KUCW (CW and Grit TV).

BendBroadband - Learn more at: https://bendbroadband.com/tvupdates

Oregon communities: Crooked River Ranch, Madras and Prineville - Stations: KOIN (CBS and Decades).