CBS access

Hi @Huggy. We don't want to see a loyal customer like you leave. We are working with Nexstar to reach an agreement at the best value while minimizing the impact of any interruption, no matter how brief. For updates, visit https://www.directv.com/tvpromise/ You may be able to stream certain shows and events using the station's websites or mobile apps such as ABC.com, CBS.com and CBSsports.com. Please meet us in a DM to provide you with further assistance with your bill. Luna, DIRECTV Community Specialist.

All TV providers have this problem with renewing the contracts with local and the nationwide channels so switching is a short term fix.

@Huggy 

When will CBS return to Directv.

When the channel owner permits it. There is no guaranteed time when/if that will happen.

 I am about to switch to another provider.

You will not find a TV provider that is immune from this situation. They all go through carriage negotiations. Some channel owners, like Nexstar, are becoming more of a problem.

I have been with Directv since 2007 and the prices keep going up and stations keep disappearing.

Those channel owners keep charging TV providers more and more. That is why prices go up for all of them. Local channel owners (Nexstar, Mission, Tegna, etc.) have been pushing harder in recent years to get higher costs. They pull the feed to try and upset customers to leverage them for even higher bills. TV providers negotiate to try and minimize those costs, but cannot prevent them completely.

In most cases the channels come back (some may take a while). Generally the only channels permanently gone are ones that no longer exist as they were shut down by their owners (SoapNet, Cloo, Chiller, etc.), outside of very rare cases (like one that happened last year that will I not go into).

I'm guessing your CBS affiliate station is owned by Nexstar and ABC's by Mission if it was somewhat recent. They get what they want we all will pay that much more, regardless if we get channels owned by them or not (as locals are not itemized for specific area costs but are spread out over the base package cost for everyone).

I would suggest using a regular over-the-air (OTA) antenna and get their free broadcasts. Might even pick up any sub-channels in the area that DirecTV doesn't carry.

My stance is why should we keep paying more for channels that are free over the regular airways? And I certainly didn't go to pay TV for my locals, but for all the content my locals didn't have.

I am thinking of switching also. If I have to pay another site to get CBS ; why not? I am on a fixed income and pay over $200 per month. And going up.    Michael T.

They do not give me a break when I lose a station. 

As stated before all TV providers including streaming have this problem so moving is a short term fix, all providers will pass on the increased cost to their customers.

@mltal 

They are not going to change the rate on a monthly basis because of negotiations. As per Terms of Service (ToS) channels can change at any time. As long as you are getting a single local channel, you get exactly what you pay for as there is no guarantee of any specific channel.

That being said, DirecTV has been offering to those this matters to a $10 courtesy credit. You can redeem either by logging into your account online or calling customer support.

https://www.directv.com/tvpromise/ 

Unlike the prior negotiation with Nexstar, the current one with Tegna has a better chance of resolving within a reasonable time. They did this 3 years ago and it was nowhere near the length of what Nexstar did.

i AM SOOO DISSAPOINTED THAT CBS IS NOT ON DIRECT TV RIGHT NOW!! THE MAJORITY OF MY SHOWS ARE ON CBS!! WE SHOULD HAVE A DISCOUNT ON OUR BILL

As stated before you have to apply for the $10 credit.

@PAMMYGIRL 

CBS will return once the channel owner allows. DirecTV cannot force the issue. The channel owner is holding out to get a higher rate. But if DirecTV's operating costs go up then our bills do that much more as well.

No discount is obligated. Not a single channel is guaranteed or entitled. As long as you get a single local channel you are getting what you pay for. That being said, DirecTV is offering a one-time credit of $10 as a courtesy. You log into your account or call DirecTV to take advantage of it.

If the majority of what you watch is on a local channel, consider a regular antenna. You get whatever is in range as negotiations cannot block the free broadcast. Might even pick up sub-channels as well. Otherwise, consider lowering to the Family package as it is the lowest costing and all packages include locals. Pay TV is really for all the content your locals couldn't provide, but understandable if you are not in a good area to receive the free signal.

Can I get another access to CBS rather than Mission I have other local channels so that part is not important but I feel others are getting CBS so can that happen for me 

Can I get another CBS station rather than Mission I have local news so that us not needed I am sure other people are getting CBS out of my area and you use a satellite so why isn't this possible

@320deer 

Unfortunately no. Per Federal regulations, DirecTV is not allowed to provide you any local that is not in your Designated Market Area (DMA). This is how the locals have lobbied it, which further puts all TV providers at a disadvantage.

Doesn't matter how "sure" you are. This is how the industry is regulated. Best to stick with facts instead of assumptions.