Cox and Hearst end blackout in 5 markets

Cox Communications and Hearst Television have agreed to a new broadcast retransmission deal, ending a two-day blackout in five TV markets. 

The affected stations include: NBC affiliates WESH-TV in Orlando, Florida, and WDSU-TV in New Orleans; and ABC affiliates KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City, KETV in Omaha, Nebraska, and KHBS-TV/KHOG in Fort Smith/Fayetteville, Arkansas. 

RELATED: Cox and Hearst retransmission impasse moves to blackout stage

“We’re pleased to have reached an agreement and appreciate our customers being patient as we worked through the process,” said Andy Albert, Cox senior VP of content acquisition and programming, in a statement. 

“We appreciate that both parties recognized the heightened sense of urgency to resolve these negotiations both fairly and quickly so that our respective viewers and customers could be once again served by our stations,” added Jordan Wertlieb, Hearst Television president.  

Hearst stations went dark on Cox systems on Tuesday, following the expirations of the privately held cable operator’s broadcast retransmission contract with the broadcaster. 

Cox serves more than 4.2 million pay-TV customers. 

For its part, Hearst has already had several previous retransmission battles this year, going to blackout with Dish Network and AT&T.