Standoff between DirecTV and WSOC's parent threatens ABC programming in Charlotte

Cox Media Group, owner of WSOC, is airing grievances about negotiations with DirecTV and U-Verse

Jan 31, 2024

∙ Paid

The following article appeared in the Jan. 31, 2024, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with smart and original local news for Charlotte. We offer free and paid subscription plans. More info here.

‘Bachelor’ fans, will you accept … this looming dispute that threatens ABC programming on U-Verse and DirecTV?

Uh-oh: If you’re addicted to “The Bachelor” and watch it on DirecTV or U-Verse, you might want to be looking at backup plans.

That’s because the owner of Charlotte ABC affiliate WSOC-TV, Atlanta-based Cox Media Group, is locked in one of those disputes that could result in its being dropped from DirecTV’s and U-Verse’s lineup.

It looks as though there will be no one-on-one dates between Cox Media Group and DirecTV, who are beefing over terms of carrying programming. (Photo courtesy of ABC Entertainment)

The rhetoric has gotten a little heated in recent days:

The Charlotte Ledger

Standoff between DirecTV and WSOC's parent threatens ABC programming in Charlotte

Cox Media Group, owner of WSOC, is airing grievances about negotiations with DirecTV and U-Verse

‘Bachelor’ fans, will you accept … this looming dispute that threatens ABC programming on U-Verse and DirecTV?

It looks as though there will be no one-on-one dates between Cox Media Group and DirecTV, who are beefing over terms of carrying programming. (Photo courtesy of ABC Entertainment)

This post is for paid subscribers