Nexstar Making New Demands, HT Says in Amended Retrans Complaint

Nexstar last week sprung new issues on Hawaiian Telcom after the two had resolved retransmission consent issues that led to a blackout and subsequent filing of a bad faith negotiation complaint earlier this month (see 2307060017), HT said Tuesday in docket 23-228 in an amended retrans complaint. Nexstar's new demands were that HT withdraw its initial complaint and waive the right to file future actions against Nexstar, HT said. "Nexstar’s continued assertion of these requirements is inconsistent with its obligation to negotiate in good faith," HT said, urging FCC action to end the blackout of Nexstar channels on HT's channel lineup. "No one would seriously suggest that a person who robs a bank did not commit a crime because they returned the money after being charged but before being found guilty at trial," it said. Nexstar didn't comment.