KTTC pulled from DirecTV overnight, just as a mixed winter storm builds across southeast Minnesota. Viewers who rely on satellite are waking up without their usual local weather alerts, while roads glaze and winds pick up. I can confirm negotiations between KTTC and DirecTV timed out at midnight. Talks to restore the channel are ongoing. The timing could not be worse for public safety.
Winter storm, fewer screens, higher risk
Today’s setup favors a messy mix. Expect periods of rain, snow, and ice, with blizzard-like conditions possible along and west of I-35. That pattern often forms when a layer of mild air rides over subfreezing air near the ground. The result can be slick roads, heavy wet snow, and ice on trees and lines. This storm will stress crews and slow response times.
Losing a local TV signal during a storm means fewer ways to catch a warning in real time. Phones die. Power blinks. Radio signals fade in valleys. Redundancy saves lives, and tonight it is thinner for DirecTV homes.
If a Blizzard or Ice Storm Warning is issued for your county, you may not see it on KTTC through DirecTV. Use backup alert sources now. ⚠️
What the blackout means for alerts and climate coverage
KTTC is still reporting, and our newsroom remains live across digital and over the air. But DirecTV customers cannot see those updates on channel. That limits one trusted path for emergency information during a storm watch, a flood advisory, or a tornado warning later this spring.
This is also happening as Gray Media, KTTC’s owner, completes a major local shift. On March 21, 2025, Gray finalized the purchase of Fox affiliate KXLT-TV under a rare FCC failing station waiver. That waiver allowed co-ownership of two top four stations in the same market. The change can expand weather resources, including shared teams and backup studios. It can also mean a single carriage dispute impacts more viewers at once. In a warming climate with wetter winter storms and faster swings, reliable alert pathways matter even more.
Warmer air holds more moisture. That has raised the odds of heavy precipitation events across the Upper Midwest. We are seeing more rain-snow lines cutting through winter storms, more ice risk, and more power outages from heavy, sticky snow. Strong local broadcasting, across many platforms, is a core climate adaptation tool. It helps people act fast.
The FCC waiver that enabled KTTC and KXLT to share ownership is uncommon. With greater reach comes greater responsibility to keep life-saving alerts accessible.
How to stay informed right now
You still have several ways to get KTTC weather coverage and urgent alerts without DirecTV.
- Use an over-the-air antenna to receive KTTC and KXLT free. Rescan your TV after you connect it.
- Go to KTTC’s website and mobile app for live updates, radar, and video briefings.
- Keep a NOAA Weather Radio on and set to alert mode.
- Turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts in your phone settings, and keep a local radio station tuned in.
Place your antenna near a window that faces the transmitter, reduce cable length, and run a channel scan twice for the best reception. 📻
Prepare for this storm the sustainable way
Small choices can keep you safer and cut your footprint.
- Charge phones and power banks now. Use LED flashlights, not candles.
- Delay travel. If you must go, combine trips and slow down.
- Lower thermostat a bit, block drafts, and close curtains to hold heat.
- Build a 72 hour kit with water, shelf-stable food, meds, and warm layers.
I am tracking two things closely through tonight. First, any move in the KTTC DirecTV talks that restores service before the worst of the storm. Second, the storm track and the ice to snow line near and west of I-35. If the colder air deepens, more heavy snow will stack up. If the warm layer hangs on, ice totals and outages could rise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did KTTC disappear from DirecTV?
A: A carriage negotiation extension expired at midnight. DirecTV removed the channel, and talks to restore it continue.
Q: How long will the blackout last?
A: There is no firm timeline. Both sides are still negotiating. I will update the moment service returns.
Q: Can I still receive weather warnings if I have DirecTV?
A: Yes. Use over-the-air TV, the KTTC app and website, NOAA Weather Radio, Wireless Emergency Alerts, and local radio.
Q: What is the deal with Gray Media buying KXLT?
A: Gray closed the purchase on March 21, 2025 under an FCC failing station waiver. It enabled co-ownership of two major local stations.
Q: Is climate change linked to more ice storms here?
A: A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture. That can increase heavy precipitation and raise the odds of mixed winter events that include ice.
Local weather does not wait for business deals. Our job is to keep you informed and safe, every minute, on every platform we can reach. Stay weather aware, check your backups, and keep your neighbors in the loop. We will keep pushing for a resolution while bringing you the storm facts you need. ☁️
