Hawaiian Telcom Files Federal Communications Commission Complaint Against Nexstar Media Inc.

July 05, 2023 at 23:22 PM EDT

Six channels, including KHON2, MyNetwork and CW, currently unavailable for local customers

Hawaiian Telcom has filed a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) complaint against Nexstar Media Inc. (Nexstar) regarding a failure to extend its retransmission consent agreement during active negotiations, which resulted in five broadcast channels and one cable network going dark.

Nexstar is the largest broadcaster in the United States and parent company of KHON2 (FOX), KHII (MyNetwork), CW, GRIT, Rewind TV and NewsNation. Its proposed contract asks for a 70% increase on the broadcast channels over today’s rate during the contract term. In the last five years, Nexstar’s rates have increased nearly five times more than the rate of inflation in Hawai‘i.

Hawaiian Telcom continues to negotiate with Nexstar to maintain reasonable rate increases and, ultimately, keep customer costs manageable. However, when the prior agreement expired on June 30, 2023, even though both parties were actively negotiating, Nexstar refused to provide an adequate extension that would allow both parties sufficient time to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement.

“Nexstar is using its market power to unjustifiably raise prices far beyond what is reasonable,” said Filifotu Vaai, Vice President of Consumer Products and Sales at Hawaiian Telcom. “Individuals and families in Hawai‘i cannot absorb these kinds of cost increases and we will continue to fight for fair and reasonable prices on behalf of our customers.”

Nexstar has a track record of using aggressive tactics that result in programming blackouts in various markets. This month, more than 150 Nexstar-owned TV stations also went dark on DirecTV’s platform, affecting more than 10 million TV subscribers across the country.

Nexstar’s stations will remain unavailable for Hawaiian Telcom customers until a new agreement is reached or the agreement is extended. Hawaiian Telcom customers can learn more and provide feedback at hawaiiantel.com/tvupdates.

About Hawaiian Telcom

This year, Hawaiian Telcom celebrates its 140th anniversary. Established by King David Kalakaua in 1883, Hawaiian Telcom carries on its commitment to innovation and digital equity for Hawai‘i residents and businesses. The company’s expanding future-proof, energy-efficient fiber network across the Hawaiian Islands, including rural neighbor island communities, supports access to an array of communication services and business solutions. For more information, visit hawaiiantel.com.