WFAA, the ABC affiliate serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area, is at the center of a heated dispute between its owner, Tegna, and DirecTV. As of early October, the station was blacked out for DirecTV subscribers, joining dozens of other Tegna stations nationwide. The blackout, which affects local news, weather, and emergency information, stems from a disagreement over retransmission fees – the costs paid by cable and satellite providers to broadcasters for signal carriage.

WFAA has kept viewers informed about the blackout through on-air messages, social media, and its website. The station urges DirecTV customers to contact the provider to resolve the issue, emphasizing the impact on critical local information, especially as North Texas enters its fall storm season.

The station remains committed to investigative journalism, recently highlighting concerns around city council transparency and North Dallas development projects. Lead investigative reporter Demond Fernandez has led this coverage. WFAA has also provided extensive coverage of the Lewiston, Maine shooting and the trial of Yaser Abdel Said, who was convicted of capital murder in the 2008 deaths of his daughters.

Additionally, WFAA’s “Verify” team works to debunk online misinformation, particularly regarding election security and social media scams. The station’s morning show, “Good Morning Texas,” continues to be a ratings success, featuring local segments and weather updates.

In community-focused initiatives, WFAA has announced plans for a food drive benefiting the North Texas Food Bank and a toy drive for children in need, solidifying its role in the Dallas-Fort Worth community. The ongoing DirecTV carriage dispute remains the dominant issue, putting pressure on both parties to reach an agreement and restore local broadcasting access to affected viewers.