Nexstar and Altice USA Resolve Service Interruption
In a significant development for television viewers, Nexstar Media Group's local stations and the national network NewsNation, along with multiple CW stations, have returned to Altice USA's Optimum TV system. The distribution agreement was reached on January 18, bringing an end to a carriage dispute that had resulted in a blackout starting from August 14, 2025.
The dispute, which affected 63 stations in 42 markets, was over retransmission terms between Nexstar and Altice USA. While the exact negotiation details were not disclosed, such disputes typically involve disagreements over the fees or terms for carrying Nexstar’s stations and networks on Optimum’s cable platform.
The blackout, which took place around the country, interrupted viewers' access to these channels. However, with the restoration of the agreement, all Nexstar stations and programming are now available once again to Altice USA's Optimum TV customers.
Although the financial components of the distribution agreement between Nexstar Media Group and Altice USA were not revealed, it's common for such disputes to be resolved through negotiated agreements on fees and terms. The specifics of the negotiations between Nexstar and Altice USA were not disclosed, and the financial terms of the resolution were also not made public.
In the weeks leading up to the distribution agreement, the parties exchanged increasingly pointed barbs, indicating the intensity of the negotiations. However, both parties have remained silent on the financial aspects of the agreement, maintaining the confidentiality of the financial terms.
The blackout lasted from January 10 to January 18, disrupting the viewing experience for many Optimum TV customers. Despite the lack of disclosure regarding the financial terms, the new distribution agreement ensures that Nexstar stations and NewsNation are back on Optimum TV, providing viewers with the news and entertainment they have been missing.
- The media industry witnessed a resolution in a dispute between Nexstar Media Group and Altice USA, allowing NewsNation and multiple CW stations to return to Altice USA's nextgen TV system, Optimum TV.
- The disagreement over retransmission terms affected access to 63 stations in 42 markets, resulting in a video blackout starting from August 14, 2025.
- With the restoration of the agreement, the content from Nexstar stations and networks is now available once again to Optimum TV customers, improving their viewing experience.
- Although the financial components of the distribution agreement remain undisclosed, such disputes in the television industry often involve negotiated agreements on fees and terms.
- Despite the lack of public disclosure on the financial aspects of the agreement, both parties have maintained its confidentiality, ensuring the return of Nexstar stations and NewsNation to Optimum TV.
