With Dish Network and Hearst Television unable to come to terms on a new retransmission pact as the deadline arrived — including a 48-hour extension that pushed it to early today — Hearst stations were blacked out on Dish systems, TVNewsCheck reports.
The blackout affects Hearst’s 33 stations in 26 markets. Predictably, the two sides were pointing the finger at each other.
The report quotes a statement from Hearst that says: “While we had hoped to conclude our negotiations before the extended March 3 deadline, Dish has continued to insist on including material terms that are less favorable than our current agreement. In addition, Hearst Television has made significant investments to deliver top quality programming to our viewers and Dish is seeking the right to carry our stations at below market rates, which is neither fair nor reasonable.”
In its own statement, Dish said: “Despite Dish’s offer to extend contract negotiations, tonight Hearst Television Inc. has blacked out Dish customers’ access to its local channels in 26 markets across 30 states. The broadcaster has used the move to gain deal leverage as it seeks above-market rate increases nearly double the current Dish rate, and other unreasonable demands. Hearst has also refused Dish’s offer to match the rates paid by other pay-TV providers.”
Hearst and Dish are about to find out how important these stations really are. If there are a lot of people switching to DirecTV and Netflix, then we know Hearst is necessary to Dish’s business. However, if Dish’s customers don’t notice the difference and continue their subscriptions, Hearst will know it’s real value. This is what the free market is all about.
I don’t know who is at fault for this blackout but I am tired of it. If this keeps up I will go o an outside antenna and get free broadcasts. I am a widow and can barely afford the cost of Dish now, so upping the cost is not going to get it for me. The channel blocked out for me is the most watched by me since I spend a lot of my time watching my favorite shows and waking up my local news every morning and the Today show that follows. Dish blames Hearst and Hearst blames Dish but the loyal customers are the ones that suffer. Get this settled before the government has to get involved to settle it.