Tribune pulls programming from Charter over contract dispute ahead of NFL playoffs

Tribune Media Company announced Wednesday that it is pulling its programming from Charter after a contract between the two companies expired at 5 p.m. Eastern. 

The expiration of the contract means that six million Charter customers in 24 markets will no longer have access to local television stations operated by Tribune. That includes local affiliates that have rights to NFL games.

The NFL postseason is slated to start this weekend, with games scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

{mosads}Additionally, about 14 million Charter customers will no longer have access to WGN America, an entertainment network owned by Tribune, Tribune said in a statement.

Gary Weitman, Tribune Media’s senior vice president for corporate relations, said in the statement that Tribune is “extremely disappointed” it couldn’t renew its contract with Charter, which operates under the Spectrum brand. 

“The NFL playoffs are in jeopardy—beginning this weekend with critical games in some key markets like Indianapolis and Seattle. We don’t want Spectrum subscribers to miss these games,” Weitman said.

“We’ve offered Spectrum fair market rates for our top-rated local news, live sports and high-quality entertainment programming, and similarly fair rates for our cable network, WGN America. Spectrum has refused our offer and failed to negotiate in a meaningful fashion,” Weitman added.

Charter, meanwhile, accused Tribune of being unreasonable in negotiations.

“It is unfortunate that Tribune has decided to pull its programming from our customers’ lineups. Tribune is demanding an increase of more than double what we pay today for the same programming. That is more than we pay any other broadcaster. They’re not being reasonable,” Charter said in a statement.