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WILKES-BARRE — A contract dispute between DISH and the operator of WYOU has left viewers in the dark.
Mission Broadcasting and DISH Network each emailed news releases regarding the dispute.
According to Mission Broadcasting:
DISH subscribers in 18 markets across the United States were left in the dark when DISH unilaterally dropped Mission Broadcasting’s local television stations from its programming line-up without warning on Friday night, a news release from the company stated.
Mission operates WYOU in our region.
Mission and DISH had been negotiating a renewal of the carriage agreement between the two companies, which expired on Jan. 3, at 7 p.m. ET.
The Mission Broadcasting statement said it had repeatedly offered to extend the current agreement while negotiations continued, which DISH flatly refused to do.
“DISH gave us no warning when it removed our stations,” said Dennis Thatcher, Mission Broadcasting’s President. “We offered an extension, and DISH refused, even though the NFL Playoffs began on Saturday. This has been, sadly, typical behavior for DISH — the company has constantly put its subscribers in the middle, denying them programming they’ve already paid for rather than taking the path to negotiate in good faith. Mission has now joined the ranks of a number of broadcast groups who have been subject to this harsh negotiating tactic by The DISH Network. Mission has a long track record of negotiating fairly with all of its cable, satellite and telco partners and avoiding service interruptions in our markets. That’s simply not the case with DISH.”
Thatcher continued, “We didn’t want any of our viewers in our local markets to miss these crucial NFL games. We have told DISH it can restore our stations at any time by extending the current agreement while we continue negotiating, but DISH has refused this offer. Instead, DISH is once again taking advantage of its subscribers.”
According to DISH Network:
The DISH news release claims Mission Broadcasting blacked out DISH customers’ access to its local channels in 18 markets across 16 states.
“Mission is using its own viewers as leverage as it demands higher monthly rates, interrupting programming as we head into the first weekend of NFL playoffs,” said Andy LeCuyer, DISH senior vice president of Programming. “DISH offered to extend the contract during ongoing negotiations, ensuring consumers would not be harmed in this process, but Mission refused.”
In exchange for using the public airwaves, broadcasters provide their channels for free, accessible with a digital over-the-air antenna; however, pay-TV companies are required to pay broadcasters to provide those same channels to their customers. If the two parties do not reach an agreement, the pay-TV provider must stop delivering those stations.
More information on this FCC-mandated process is available at: https://www.fcc.gov/media/policy/retransmission-consent.
“The channels could come back today if Mission would allow it, and we can restore the channels immediately if they give us the green light,” added LeCuyer. “On behalf of customers, we ask Mission to stop punishing its own viewers so we can focus on reaching a fair deal.”
The release said affected DISH customers can view NFL games using an over-the-air antenna or stream local and most prime time games for free on mobile phones and tablets as announced by the NFL.
“As an immediate solution, we are encouraging fans to take advantage of streaming NFL games for free on a phone or tablet while we urge Mission to return these stations to our customers,” LeCuyer said.
Free antenna installation
As DISH works to reach an agreement, the company is offering digital over-the-air antennas at no cost to DISH customers in the affected markets. Customers who use a digital antenna are able to access news, sports and popular network shows, and have the option to completely drop their local channels from their programming package to save $12 on their monthly bill. DISH will install an antenna for qualifying customers in affected markets based on the reception available at their home.
“A digital antenna is a great experience and solution for a growing number of customers,” continued LeCuyer. “The channels integrate seamlessly into the Hopper interface. Plus, switching to antenna-delivered locals can unlock $144 savings annually. We want to give customers the choice to save money.”
Local station availability over the air is dependent on geographic location and topography. Consequently, some customer locations may not qualify for an antenna installation.
