Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
For more than 30 years, John Kiesewetter has been the source for information about all things in local media — comings and goings, local people appearing on the big or small screen, special programs, and much more. Contact John at johnkiese@yahoo.com.

DirecTV Restores WLWT-TV, 25 Other Hearst Markets

WLWT-TV (Channel 5) has been restored to DirecTV after a one week absence, along with 29 other Hearst TV stations in 29 markets.

News anchor Mike Dardis announced on Facebook at 10:30 a.m. Saturday that Hearst had reached a retransmission agreement.

The station posted the news at 3:02 p.m.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

As I wrote last week,DirecTV and AT&T U-verse pulled the plug Jan. 1 on the Hearst stations when retransmission talks broke down. Hearst's contract expired at midnight Dec. 31.

WLWT-TV posted this story on its website:

Hearst Television announced that the signals for its 30 television stations have been restored on DirecTV.

“We remain committed to the future of localism – ensuring the viability of local investigative journalism, breaking news and weather coverage, and quality local and national programming,” said Hearst Television President Jordan Wertlieb. “We regret the inconvenience to DirecTV subscribers and are indebted to them and all of our advertisers for their support.”

Hearst Television owns and operates local television and radio stations serving 26 media markets across 39 states reaching over 21 million U.S. television households. Through its partnership with nearly all of the major networks, Hearst Television distributes national content over nearly 70 video channels including programming from ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, MY Net, MeTV, This TV, Estrella and more. Hearst Television is recognized as one of the industry's premier companies, and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service. Hearst Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst. www.hearsttelevision.com.

John Kiesewetter, who has covered television and media for more than 35 years, has been working for Cincinnati Public Radio and WVXU-FM since 2015.