There’s no update Thursday morning on the continued retransmission squabble between AT&T and Tegna that has resulted in Tegna stations, including CBS affiliate KHOU (Channel 11), being unavailable on DirecTV and AT&T U-verse. 
 
There is, however, a possible workaround for Channel 11 viewers who wish to continue watching Channel 11’s local news programs, its CBS prime time lineup and sports events such as the Alabama-LSU game Saturday night and the Colts-Texans game Sunday afternoon. 
 
Houston is one of 25 television markets around the country serviced by Locast, a nonprofit local broadcast streaming service that can be accessed via the Internet or through DirecTV or U-verse boxes connected to smart TVs.

ALSO SEE: KHOU goes dark for DirecTV and AT&T U-Verse subscribers
 
By registering at Locast.org, Houston area viewers can access 36 local channels, including all the major English- and Spanish-language network affiliates. That list includes Channel 11. 
 
To see if Locast is available on your smart TV, click the right arrow on your DirecTV remote control and watch for a list of available apps to appear on the screen. Click on the Locast app, and you’ll be able to access instructions on how to register for the service. Once you confirm an e-mail address, you can watch Channel 11 via your DirecTV box or Locast.com. 
 
Locast says it operates under the Copyright Act of 1976, which allows nonprofit translator services to rebroadcast local stations such as Channel 11 without receiving a copyright license from the broadcaster.  
 
However, the law also allows nonprofits to collect a fee to cover operations costs. Locast asks viewers to donate $5 or more per month for operating costs. 
 
And therein rests the only potential catch for Channel 11 viewers who are shut off DirecTV and U-verse for the time being: Much as PBS has pledge breaks, Locast transmits a request for donations every 15 minutes. Once you agree to pay $5 or more, the messages are removed. 
 
Locast and the major networks are engaged in litigation regarding the Locast service, but it remains available in 25 markets, including Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth in Texas. 
 
Channel 11 went dark on DirecTV and AT&T U-verse Tuesday night as AT&T, which owns DirecTV and U-verse, continue to negotiate with Tegna, which owns Channel 11 and stations in 50 other U.S. TV markets, over the fees that AT&T pays to rebroadcast Tegna stations on its service. 
 
Each has accused the other of seeking unfair retransmission fees and of taking advantage of customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
Locast launched in January 2018 and has been available in Houston since the fall of 2018. The company said it has 1.7 million registered users. 
 
It can be accessed at locast.org and via app stores, TiVo, Google Play, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon, Roku, Dish Hopper/Wally receivers and select DirecTV receivers.