L.A. station KTLA dropped from DirecTV in nationwide blackout

Millions of DirecTV customers lost access to Nexstar Media Group channels after the two companies failed to agree to a new distribution contract by a Sunday night deadline. The nationwide blackout of 159 Nexstar-owned stations — including ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and CW network affiliates — began Sunday at 4 p.m. PT, the two companies said. “After denying Nexstar’s demands for DirecTV to pay more than double the previous fees for the same content, DirecTV lost the rights to offer Nexstar-controlled ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW stations in select markets, as well as NewsNation,” DirecTV said in a statement. In its statement, the Irving, Texas-based Nexstar said it “remains hopeful that a resolution can be reached quickly to return to viewers their favorite network programming, live sporting events, in-depth local news, and other local content relevant to their communities.” Rob Thun, chief content officer of DirecTV, said in a statement: “We will continue to work with Nexstar to reach an agreement and will take all necessary actions to provide our customers access to their favorite programming while protecting them from unwarranted price increases.”