WCIA and WCIX back to DirecTV and U-Verse under the colors of Nexstar and AT & T | New

CHAMPAIGN – Central Illinois subscribers to AT & T's satellite and cable television services should again be able to tune into WCIA-TV and its affiliated channels without having to jump into the antenna rings.

AT & T and Texas-based Nexstar Broadcasting announced Thursday afternoon that they have signed a new multi-year deal for the cable company.

Since midnight on July 3, WCIA and WCIX have been banned from accessing DirecTV and U-Verse subscribers in the region. The only other way for them to access the channels was to use a digital television antenna.

"Our customers want more choice and value, and we're excited to make it a reality with this new agreement with Nexstar and its many local channels," said Rob Thun, Executive Vice President of Content and Programming at AT & T Communications.

"Nexstar's long-standing commitment is to provide exceptional programming and service to the local communities we serve in the United States. This new multi-year agreement will allow us to continue to broadcast the leading content of our stations on networks and sports, as well as local news and other content. programming to AT & T subscribers in our markets, "said Keith Hopkins, Senior Vice President, Distribution for Nexstar Media Group Inc.

Nexstar has stations in 97 markets, including Champaign.

Neither AT & T nor Nexstar shared the details of their deal, but they both apologized for the inconvenience to subscribers, some of whom were able to get discounts for their problems.

Bill Clary of Champaign, a DirecTV subscriber, said the black-out period was inconvenient, but he avoided the annoyance of a good pair of old rabbit ears he bought at a sale. garage.

"We were in Florida for two months in January and February and Comcast lost the local CBS radio station. I have the impression that it will be one of these offers: DirecTV today, Comcast tomorrow, Dish another day, "he said about the confrontation. "It will probably be a continuous saga, but unfortunately it seems to be coming out of our wallets."