Scripps Media Inc. blacks out DISH customers in 42 markets across 31 states

[Scott Greczkowski]

Scripps Media Inc. blacks out DISH customers in 42 markets across 31 states​

• Scripps rejects DISH offer to extend contract and keep local channels up while negotiations continue
• Scripps turns back on viewers amid the COVID-19 pandemic to create ‘deal leverage’

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., July 25, 2020 – This evening, Scripps Media Inc. blacked out DISH customers’ access to its local channels in 42 markets across 31 states. Scripps is blocking consumers in an effort to gain negotiating leverage as it demands higher monthly rates for its local channels. Scripps has also refused DISH’s offer to match the rates that other pay-TV providers are paying to it.

“To be clear, Scripps chose to black out its own viewers. We offered multiple extension options to keep the channels up while we continue to work toward reaching a deal during these unprecedented times, but they refused,” said Andy LeCuyer, DISH senior vice president of programming.

After months of refusing to negotiate, Scripps Media Inc. made a take-it-or-leave-it offer just minutes before expiration. In an effort to minimize the impact to consumers, DISH continues to be open to negotiating with Scripps to come to a fair deal.

“The channels could come back today if Scripps would allow it, and we can restore the channels immediately if they give us the green light,” added LeCuyer. “While the nation faces the impact of the COVID-19 crisis and Hurricane Hanna makes landfall, viewers need access to their local news and programming. On behalf of customers, we ask Scripps to stop punishing its own viewers so we can focus on reaching a fair deal.”

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 here: Retransmission Consent

Affected Stations

Scripps’ action affects viewers of various ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CW, MyTV, independent and Telemundo stations in 42 markets.



DISH customers can visit DISHPromise.com for more information.

 

[Joe Capitano]

Don't forget if you still have the "superstation" package WPIX is gone for now because of this mess.

 

[pattykay]

Don't forget if you still have the "superstation" package WPIX is gone for now because of this mess.

If this dispute drags on long enough, Dish may bring that back separately for superstation subscribers (even though it will still be blacked out in the NYC market) just like Dish did during the Tribune dispute when Tribune still owned WPIX.

 

[SandFarmer]

This is why I have had redundant OTA since my first install. Now if you could change Timers source instead of completely remaking them. But a couple Timers have grabbed the recordings off of OTA on their own. Nicely surprising.

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

 

[pattykay]

Don't forget if you still have the "superstation" package WPIX is gone for now because of this mess.

If this dispute drags on long enough, Dish may bring that back separately for superstation subscribers (even though it will still be blacked out in the NYC market) just like Dish did during the Tribune dispute when Tribune still owned WPIX.

Now, with the hurricane-related restorations, we may see the opposite happen as the hurricane moves up the coast, with WPIX eventually getting restored for in-market subscribers, but remaining blacked-out as a superstation.