DirectTV customers may miss NFL action on WIVB

A general view of an NFL game ball during an NFL preseason football game between the Cleveland Browns and the Chicago Bears, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, in Cleveland. The Bears won 21-20. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Posted: Sep 9, 2023 / 08:00 AM EDT

Updated: Sep 8, 2023 / 06:02 PM EDT

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – This Sunday, the NFL regular season returns on WIVB. We will exclusively broadcast two games in our market: Cincinnati at Cleveland and Philadelphia at New England.

But since WIVB was forced off the DIRECTV lineup on July 2, DIRECTV customers may not be able to watch the game unless the dispute between Nexstar and DIRECTV is resolved. DIRECTV customers are being urged to call the company at (800) 531-5000 and demand that they restore WIVB to their systems.

DIRECTV subscribers do have other options to view the games:

DIRECTV customers can switch their cable or satellite provider to another service. WIVB has reached agreements with all other local distributors and is available on all of them.
WIVB is also available on streaming services such as YouTube TV and Hulu.
As a broadcast station, WIVB broadcasts its signal over the public airwaves to anyone with an antenna, which you can find at a variety of electronics or home-improvement stores.
Many local restaurants and sports bars will also be carrying the games.

WIVB’s parent company, Nexstar, is working hard to resolve the impasse with DIRECTV, but the company has twice turned down Nexstar’s offer of an extension. More information can be found on wivb.com, including a list of alternative providers.

DIRECTV subscribers are again being urged to call DIRECTV at (800) 531-5000 and complain.