DirecTV-Newsmax Not Likely to Cause Change in Carriage Tactics
The politicization of Newsmax's blackout on DirecTV isn't considered likely to change cable carriage practices, experts told us. Conservatives cheered the end of the blackout this week, with the right-leaning cable network returning to DirecTV, DirecTV Stream and U-verse Thursday (see 2303220080).
Accusations of political bias in MVPDs not carrying a network aren't new, said Free Press Vice President-Policy Matt Wood. And consumers putting pressure on an MVPD "is the way it ought to work," he said, noting Free Press advocating in January 2022 for DirecTV to drop One America News Network.
“I suspect it’s another carriage dispute rather than one with lasting ramifications,” emailed Stuart Brotman, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, professor of journalism and electronic media enterprise and leadership.
Newsmax's going dark on DirecTV in January got considerable criticism from House GOP members, and the FCC received dozens of public complaints claiming viewpoint censorship (see 2303100007).
Wood said lawmaker advocacy is "more problematic" than if it's being done by ordinary people, and should be watched. But individual lawmakers have the right to use the bully pulpit, he said.
Some expect more lasting impacts. Expect to see future carriage disagreements between conservative cable networks and MVPDs take on a political bent, said Media Matters Senior Fellow Matt Gertz. He said it's not clear whether the agreement was the result of the pressure campaign, which escalated to an unprecedented degree, since terms of the deal struck between the two weren't divulged. But future disputes involving conservative cable news networks will likely have the programmers seeking political help from allies, he said
Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Ted Cruz of Texas and other congressional Republicans cited their pressure campaign (see 2302010032) as a major factor that led DirecTV to bring Newsmax back to its lineup. It's "a victory for free speech over powerful corporations that want to put their thumbs on the scale of the national conversation,” Cruz said. “This outcome speaks to the power of citizens and their elected representatives working to stop viewpoint discrimination." U.S. "democracy’s health depends on free speech, which is why I will keep using my perch as" lead Commerce Republican "to stop the silencing of conservatives whether it occurs with Big Media or Big Tech," he said.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., tweeted he wants "to publicly thank" DirecTV "for their successful effort to regain another strong conservative news outlet on their platform." Comer had threatened a committee hearing on the dispute if DirecTV didn’t reach a resolution. “I was proud to help lead this fight for free speech,” tweeted Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas. “Conservatives deserve a voice and the First Amendment must be preserved. Today is a win for free speech!” It's “a major First Amendment victory,” but Newsmax “should’ve never been silenced in the first place,” tweeted Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga.
“There’s a lot to be upset about, but Newsmax coming back to DirecTV is a huge victory,” conservative commentator Rogan O’Handley tweeted. “Boycotts, social media posts, canceled subscriptions, Congressional pressure, and potential lawsuits. We raised our voices to defend the 1st Amendment. And it worked.” DirecTV and majority owner AT&T "cave[d]" following "a huge pressure campaign," the conservative State Financial Officers Foundation tweeted. "Victory for 1st Amendment/free speech in America." National Religious Broadcasters President Troy Miller said the group was "delighted by the announcement: "We’re pleased to see an outcome that benefits viewers who seek conservative, faith-friendly television that aligns with their point of view.”