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CBS’ network was blocked for about half a day on Dish a few weeks after months of negotiations that weren’t getting anywhere. Now, another round of failed negotiations has led to Fox being blacked out by the provider of satellite services.
Dish Network gave up certain features, which will give CBS more power on the advertising money they receive. Dish giving in on these concessions and CBS providing Showtime VOD led to the blackout being lifted a mere 12 hours after it was instituted. However, Fox has already been under a blackout for a lot longer.
Fox has denied the satellite provider the ability to broadcast their Fox Business Network and Fox News Channel. This blackout started on December 20th, in the evening.
Warren Schlichting, the Senior VP of Programming at Dish Network explained that it was as if they were trying to purchase a house and the real estate agent was forcing them into buying a car as well. He explained that Fox blacked out two news channels in an attempt to get triple the rates on their entertainment and sports channels that aren’t part of the contract in question.
Dish Network said that they had tried to offer Fox a short-term contract so there was more time for negotiations but it seems they weren’t interested. The two companies had a lengthy and productive relationship before the current issues, says Schlichting.
Schlichting stated they regretted their customers had to suffer due to the disruption of service and that the network is committed to settling terms with Fox so the content would return to Dish’s network as soon as possible.
Unlike the issues they had with CBS, the argument with Fox has left the boardroom and is now being carried out in full view of the public. Fox has created a new site, requesting their loyal viewers put pressure on Dish Network or change to another provider of pay-TV if the company refuses to accept Fox’s terms.
The Keep Fox News site stated that after nearly twenty years on the air, Fox News has never had to go down because of a business misunderstanding. Unfortunately, it continues, Dish Network has opted to block access to the balanced and fair news programming Fox provides that isn’t available from anyone else.
In regards to the CBS blackout, the VP of Fox News Channel, Tim Carry, stated that it was the second time in two months that Dish Network customers were forced to suffer blackouts on content. Carry claims that the problem likes with Dish Network being intransigent. He stated that the company’s history said more than words could, which
Germaine Hicks
Germaine is an avid sports fan and as such, he decided on his current career path with the idea in mind that he would never, ever miss a Yankee game. Until now, he managed to make good on that promise. As you’ve probably guessed, he’s our go-to sports guy.
