Tegna, Dish spar over contract fees

The move comes as part of what Dish characterizes as a plan to double Dish Network’s current rate.

The initial contract had expired September 30 without a new, deal, but a 24-hour extension was granted. “Tegna had nothing to lose and consumers had everything to gain by leaving the channels up”, read the prepared statement of Dish senior vice president of programming Warren Schlichting.

Tegna was similarly firm.

“Tegna has worked hard over the course of months to reach a deal with Dish”.

Tegna Inc. the TV station operator has now cut off all of the Dish Network subscriber’s access for its local channels in more than 36 markets since they had a contract dispute.

“Despite DISH’s repeated efforts to blame programmers, the record is crystal clear – DISH is a serial dropper of channels”. It has been responsible for the largest broadcast blackout in history and routinely drops valued cable and broadcast channels.

Tegna, based in McLean, Va., blamed Dish for the situation, contending that it has always been able to reach a fair agreement with other cable and satellite providers without disrupting viewers. “This extension ensures that critical programming remains available to all viewers”. CDA News reported in this latest blackout being the last straw for a few customers. Tegna is one of the biggest independent station groups of major affiliates in the top twenty-five markets and reaches around a third of all the TV households around the world as per the website.

Tegna is the largest independent owner of CBS and NBC affiliates, and the fourth-largest owner of ABC affiliates. Sunday, the pair announced that a multi-year contract was agreed upon that brought service back to markets like Dallas, Denver, Seattle, and St. Louis, according to Variety.