AT&T and CBS reach multiyear agreement to carry channels on DirecTV, DirecTV Now, U-verse

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AT&T and CBS Corp. have reached a multi-year agreement to carry CBS-owned local stations and national programming on AT&T's video platforms for subscribers in Dallas-Fort Worth and across the country, according to a release Thursday.
CBS' channels have been restored on DirecTV, DirecTV Now and AT&T U-verse, according to AT&T.

"CBS and AT&T regret any inconvenience to their customers and viewers and thank them for 
their patience," the companies said in a joint statement.

6.6 million subscribers to AT&T's TV platforms were affected by the channel blackouts including more than 800,000 subscribers in the D-FW region, according to data from media and communication research firm Kagan.
The terms of the deal, which also includes carriage of the Smithsonian channel, were not disclosed.

The channel blackouts stretched 19 days for subscribers of AT&T's TV platforms after the two companies failed to reach a mutual agreement in negotiations by July 20.

The companies were at odds over CBS' rising retransmission fees – a fee charged by broadcasters when TV providers wish to carry and resell their programming to customers. CBS has been shifting its reliance off of advertising and increasing the fees it charges to carry programming instead.

AT&T remains involved in an ongoing contract negotiation with Irving-based broadcast TV station owner Nexstar Media Group. Nexstar owns 174 TV stations across the country including roughly 30 in Texas.

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