Dish Customers May Not See Return of Blacked Out Hearst Stations Last month, Dish customers lost access to 33 Hearst TV stations in 26 markets after the two sides failed to reach a new retransmission deal. Like most programming contract disputes, the standoff involved both sides spending weeks complaining that the other side was intractable, while customers continue to pay Dish for channels they can no longer get access to. The Dish/Hearst standoff is one of the longest, and biggest programming rate fight in recent memory. Such feuds are growing increasingly common as broadcasters seek higher and higher rates for the same content.

And while these standoffs usually end with the two sides striking a confidential new contract then passing on the higher rates to consumers, in this instance it appears that Dish customers may not be seeing access to these channels ever again. TV News Check (hat tip, Fierce Cable) note that neither side has made a peep about the standoff in three weeks. And when contacted, both sides say they've been less than zero progress in talks. The standoff began on March 2, and the last public comment from either side came on March 27. Such feuds are one of countless reasons why a growing number of frustrated pay TV customers are cutting the cord and moving to cheaper, more flexible streaming alternatives. The FCC under Wheeler had considered beefing up rules protecting consumers from being held hostage during these feuds, but nothing ever came of it. The FCC under Ajit Pai seems even less likely to impose such restrictions. "Hearst’s decision to cut ties with Dish customers is a prime example of why Washington needs to stand up for consumers and end local channel blackouts," Dish General Counsel R. Stanton Dodge said when the blackout began in early March. "Broadcasters like Hearst use their in-market monopoly power to put profits ahead of the public interests they are supposed to serve." "Hearst’s decision to cut ties with Dish customers is a prime example of why Washington needs to stand up for consumers and end local channel blackouts," Dish General Counsel R. Stanton Dodge said when the blackout began in early March. "Broadcasters like Hearst use their in-market monopoly power to put profits ahead of the public interests they are supposed to serve."







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Most recommended from 18 comments



maartena

Elmo

Premium Member

join:2002-05-10

Orange, CA 27 recommendations maartena Premium Member Good. The only way to stand up against ever increasing television pricing, is when the cable/satellite providers take a stand against the channel owners. If they just keep on rolling over, the price increase each year will be significantly cheaper. Let Hearst rot in hell.

batterup

I Can Not Tell A Lie.

Premium Member

join:2003-02-06

Netcong, NJ 8 recommendations batterup Premium Member I didn't notice. If paid TV is dung who cares?