Fox 5 KSWB-TV blocked for DirecTV/U-verse subscribers as part of nationwide re-transmission dispute

Nexstar, the owner of Fox 5, said the dispute threatens to deprive DirecTV/U-verse subscribers of local news, as well as the upcoming major sporting events later this month such as Major League Baseball All-Star Game and the Women’s World Cup soccer matches. In all, 159 Nexstar stations across the country have gone dark for DirecTV/U-verse subscribers. On the Fox 5 website, it urges DirecTV/U-verse subscribers to “stop this nonsense” by demanding a rebate, switching pay-TV providers and posting complaints on social media. Distribution battles have grown increasingly common among local television station owners and pay TV providers in recent years as streaming services continue to proliferate. Pay TV providers are trying to keep subscription prices down to combat continued cord-cutting.