Fisher Stations Go Dark on Dish
Fisher Communications pulls stations from Dish Network in eight markets over retransmission consent.
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/18/2008 4:36:00 AM
Hardly had Dish Network struck a retransmission consent deal with Young Broadcasting to restore 10 TV stations to its channel lineup when it announced more local stations were being pulled in eight markets.
In a release issued in the affected markets, Dish said it had to remove Fisher Communications stations after the two sides were unable to come to retransmission consent terms.
A number of carriage agreements between broadcasters and cable operators have been coming up for renewal in recent weeks.
As it said during the impasse with Young last week, Dish argued that Fisher’s price increases were excessive and would have to be passed along to its customers in the form of higher monthly bills.
"We deeply regret the inconvenience this disruption may cause any of our subscribers,” Eric Sahl, senior VP of programming for Dish , said in announcing the move. “Subscribers should rest assured that we continue to take the necessary steps to ensure that Dish Network remains the source for the best quality TV at the best total value.”
Local TV station signals are among the most highly-viewed cable channels, and broadcasters have been increasingly seeking higher payments for that high-value programming.
Affected markets, according to Dish, are Bakersfield, Calif.; Boise, Idaho; Eugene, Ore.; Idaho Falls, Idaho; Portland, Ore.; Seattle; and Yakima, Wash.
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I think mit is a real shame when companies decide that what their profit level is becomes more important than their veiwers who have been loyal veiwers for many, many years. Don't you think that maybe the people have a right to know what the price increase is and how that would affect them? Both of you companies should take this into consideration before trying to uot-do each other.
Darlene DeCoria - 2/27/2009 6:57:30 PM EST -
We've had Dish for 6 years and Fisher was paying since then and now they want 80% or more. Come on Fisher, be fair. We are in a recession.
Bill Shaal - 1/27/2009 11:26:56 PM EST -
I'm voting with my feet and going to Direct next week. A lot because they
don't charge extra for the local content, a lot because the Direct service
will be $25.00 less per month for more, and mostly because I resent the
Dish attitude wanting me to plead their case to Fisher.
I'm in a shadow where on-air reception is difficult and HD requires a
mega hi-gain antenna. I think Dish has an obligation (or should have, are
you listening regulators?) to provide the same signal and content that
FCC licenses the broadcasters to provide.
Cary Gaynor - 12/19/2008 10:27:00 PM EST -
The 80% increase seems more than a bit excessive. I am a DISH customer and stand behind their refusal to cave in to Fisher. Regardless of the programming I might miss, I decided years ago that I would never go back to cable tv, and this won't change that decision. I just feel sorry for Fisher's advertisers who are losing viewers and likely not getting any discount for the ad dollars they are paying.
Al Hudgens - 12/19/2008 12:42:00 PM EST
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