Millions of US sports fans were left without coverage of their favourite teams due to failed efforts to agree a deal between Tribune Broadcasting and cable TV firm, Spectrum.
Stations in 24 markets across the country are now no longer available to Spectrum subscribers via the company’s cable systems.
The contract between Tribune Broadcasting and Spectrum expired at 5pm on January 2nd. With approximately six million viewers losing access to a number of sports and entertainment services – provided by 33 television stations via Spectrum.
In addition to local news, programming such as the National Football League playoffs and NCAA basketball will be lost.
Gary Weitman, Tribune Media’s senior vice president for corporate relations said: “The NFL playoffs are in jeopardy – beginning this weekend with critical games in some key markets like Indianapolis and Seattle. We don’t want Spectrum subscribers to miss these games.
“We’ve offered Spectrum fair market rates for our top-rated local news, live sports and high-quality entertainment programming, and similarly fair rates for our cable network, WGN America. Spectrum has refused our offer and failed to negotiate in a meaningful fashion.”
The company also includes Covers Media Group, which is a source of online betting information. It has established websites for each of its affected television stations and for WGN America where Spectrum customers can obtain more information about loss of services.
