D.C. Memo: Nexstar CEO: 'Big Mistake' to Hand vMVPD Retrans Rights to Big 4 Networks

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Nexstar: In the battle with DIRECTV, Disney on Sunday removed every local ABC station in the country from the satellite TV operator's virtual Multichannel Video Programming Distributor (MVPD) called DIRECTV Stream. That was made possible because more than a decade ago, the ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox affiliates handed over their rights to negotiate vMVPD carriage to the Big 4 networks. "Big mistake, big mistake" Nexstar CEO Perry Sook said Wednesday. Speaking at the Citi 2024 Global TMT Conference, Sook explained how TV stations backed themselves into a streaming corner. "The networks said, 'Listen, this is new technology. We'll negotiate on your behalf and then we'll cut you in for a piece of what we negotiate for," Sook explained. "At the time, most station group operators did not see it as a thing and said, 'OK.’" Since 2014, TV station owners have lobbied to have the law changed to eliminate any differences between MVPDs like Comcast and Charter and vMVPDs like YouTubeTV and DIRECTV Stream for purposes of retransmission consent. Sook, who is the joint board chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, said the goal was to secure technological neutrality. "You're basically doing the same thing, so it's a distinction without a difference in my view, and trying to convince the regulatory authorities about that has become, you know, a big part of my job." Capitol Hill's current political alignment wasn't favorable, Sook said. "The problem is, the Republicans would see this as additional regulation on virtual MVPDs and there's a third rail of 'no additional regulation,'" he said. Democrats, he added, "might be for it," but might not want to get into a battle with Big Tech. Google owns YouTube TV.