DIRECTV wins long-running legal battle against Nexstar
DIRECTV wins long-running legal battle against Nexstar
The company has been awarded $26.6 million as a result of overcharging affiliate fees to DIRECTV.
DIRECTV has won $26.6 million from the Supreme Court of New York after a years-long battle with Nexstar. The original lawsuit centered around a dispute over retransmission fees related to an NBC affiliate. DIRECTV claimed that Nexstar had improperly overcharged it for the rights to broadcast the NBC station. Specifically, the lawsuit accused Nexstar of inflating fees for the affiliate, leading to significant overpayments by DIRECTV.
Key Details
- DIRECTV previously sued Nexstar for overcharging fees for an NBC affiliate
- The New York Supreme Court ruled in favor of DIRECTV, awarding it $26.6 million in damages
- The lawsuit stemmed from a disagreement over the terms of retransmission fees
In March 2024, a New York Supreme Court judge dismissed DIRECTV’s antitrust lawsuit against Nexstar, which had accused the media company of colluding with Mission Broadcasting and White Knight Broadcasting to inflate retransmission fees artificially. The fees, which typically pay broadcasters for the right to air their signals, are a significant source of revenue for networks like Nexstar. DIRECTV had previously argued that this led to inflated charges that harmed the company and its customers. DIRECTV had failed to demonstrate sufficient direct harm from these alleged actions, thus weakening its claims of antitrust violations.
Following the dismissal, the Department of Justice supported DIRECTV’s appeal and disagreed with the initial ruling. It stated that the dismissal was improper and emphasized concerns over potential anti-competitive behavior in the broadcasting sector. Specifically, the DOJ expressed worries that such collusion could harm competition and lead to higher consumer costs, pointing to a broader issue of monopolistic practices in retransmission fee negotiations. This case serves as a critical moment in assessing the fairness and competitiveness of the media landscape, with implications for both companies and consumers in terms of pricing and market competition.
DIRECTV
DIRECTV is one of The Streamable’s top choices for the best live TV streaming service overall in 2026, especially for users who want the most channels or want to watch the most live sports. With an unbeatable lineup of local, news, sports, and entertainment channels, three main signature packages, an unlimited DVR, and 20 simultaneous streams at home, DIRECTV remains a premier choice for any cord-cutter.