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orywireSome DirecTV viewers lost access to local Scripps stations during a carriage dispute, affecting Stanley Cup Final coverage in markets where the missing station carries ABC. Here are the reported markets and viewing options to check before the next game.
Some DirecTV viewers lost their usual Stanley Cup Final channel because Scripps-owned local stations were removed from DirecTV during a carriage dispute that began May 31. The issue matters for hockey fans because the Stanley Cup Final is airing on ABC in the United States; in affected markets where the missing Scripps station is the ABC affiliate, the game feed may not be available through DirecTV.
Viewers should check DirecTV’s TV Promise lookup by ZIP code and verify any alternate app, antenna or live TV provider before puck drop.
DirecTV said Scripps Local Media removed 54 local broadcast stations in 36 Nielsen Designated Market Areas, or DMAs, from DirecTV streaming, satellite and U-verse customers starting at 7 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 31.
The companies are fighting over retransmission consent, the agreement that lets a pay TV provider carry local broadcast stations. DirecTV accused Scripps of seeking record rates. Scripps has pushed back, saying it was negotiating in good faith, according to Awful Announcing, and Scripps CEO Adam Symson criticized DirecTV’s handling of the talks in an interview cited by The Associated Press.
The blackout is not a technical problem with ABC or the NHL broadcast. It is a distribution dispute between the TV provider and the station owner.
DirecTV’s public statement said 54 stations across 36 DMAs were affected. The company did not present a full city-by-city list in the accessible statement checked, but it named these markets among those affected:
The market list refers to removed Scripps stations, not necessarily every DirecTV customer in every surrounding county. For Stanley Cup Final viewers, the key question is whether the missing local station in the viewer’s market is the ABC affiliate carrying the game.
The NHL’s latest schedule lists the next Stanley Cup Final games on ABC in the United States:
Because carriage agreements can change with little notice, viewers in an affected market should check their channel guide and backup option the day of the game.
Start with DirecTV’s TV Promise page, which lets customers search for missing-channel updates by service type and ZIP code. DirecTV also says customers can use that page to learn whether they qualify for a credit.
ABC says its live stream is available through ABC.com with a participating TV provider account. That means viewers should confirm whether their provider sign-in will actually carry the local ABC stream before relying on it.
The AP reported that some DirecTV viewers saw a message directing Stanley Cup Final or NBA Finals viewers to the ESPN, Hulu or Disney+ apps. Access can depend on the customer’s subscription, device, location and whether the event is available live through that app.
An over-the-air antenna may also receive a local ABC station for free where signal reception is available. Before buying equipment or switching services, confirm that the local ABC affiliate is available at the address and that the service carries the live game in that ZIP code.
DirecTV said it was still seeking a compromise with Scripps. The checked official pages did not give a restoration date, a confirmed number of affected DirecTV customers or a complete public list of all 36 markets.
For viewers, the practical step is simple: check the channel guide before each game, search DirecTV’s TV Promise page by ZIP code and have a verified backup ready before the ABC broadcast begins.
Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final is set for Thursday, June 11, at 8 p.m. ET, with the Vegas Golden Knights visiting the Carolina Hurricanes on ABC. The series is tied 2-2 after Carolina’s Game 4 win.
The Hurricanes beat the Golden Knights 4-3 in overtime in Game 2, tying the Stanley Cup Final at 1-1. Game 3 is Saturday night in Las Vegas on ABC.
The Vegas Golden Knights lead the Carolina Hurricanes 1-0 in the Stanley Cup Final after a 5-4 Game 1 win. Game 2 is Thursday, June 4, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
