Television viewers are either finding an odd message scrolling across their screen or no TV channel at all when they dial in some stations.

Kathy Whyte/WNBF News
Kathy Whyte/WNBF News
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A contract feud between DIRECTV/AT&T and Nexstar has pulled the plug on local television channels in 97 markets including WIVT/WBGH in Binghamton and WETM in Elmira.

Viewers who maybe weren’t paying attention over the long 4th of July holiday tuned in over the weekend to find some channels missing as DIRECTV removed the Nexstar offerings on July 2.

The local channels are urging customers to call AT&T to return the local channels or risk losing their local news programs as well as network Sunday Night Football and popular series like “The Voice.”

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Both Nexstar and AT&T claim to be open to negotiations toward a fair agreement.

DIRECTV already announced in February the removal of Northwest Broadcasting stations, including Fox40 in Binghamton.  Northwest is also urging viewers to contact AT&T/DIRECTV to demand restoration of channels and a credit on their bills for months of missed service.

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