Scripps says Dish is not being honest in their carriage dispute, and further alleges the satcaster is not motivated to settle because it’s making a profit from the blackout.
Update: Dish & Scripps Sign New Deal
Dish has been without Scripps’ 60 local network affiliates in 42 markets since July 25 when the two companies could not agree on a new carriage pact. The satellite service claims that Scripps is asking for excessive fees to carry its signals, a 250 percent increase over the previous rate.
But in a new statement released yesterday, Scripps says Dish is not agreeing to a new deal because it does not have to pay the broadcaster during the blackout.
”Dish isn’t being honest with its customers,” says the statement, which was posted at Scripps’ web sites. “Scripps has not asked for a 250 percent hike. What is true is that Dish has little motivation to seek a deal: Dish’s profitability improves by several million dollars each month by not distributing Scripps stations all across the country. While this battle grows profits for Dish, its customers – who are locked into Dish’s monthly charges for stations they’re not receiving – miss out on the news, weather and sports programming they rely on.”
Dish executives have suggested in previous carriage fights that the company can save money during a blackout because it does not have to pay the carriage fees while the channels are off the air. The satcaster has said it passes the savings along to customers by offering lower subscription fees than its rivals. And Dish arguably does offer lower package rates than other cable or satellite operators.
The TV Answer Man yesterday asked Dish for a comment on the new Scripps statement, but has yet to receive a response. We will update this story if we get one.
The Scripps statement does not bode well for an imminent end to the dispute. The broadcaster has been relatively silent since the fight began, but the ongoing impasse seems to have finally hit a nerve.
”After five months of contract extensions, and now five weeks with our station (s) blocked out from Dish subscribers, we are incredibly frustrated by Dish’s false claims about our dispute,” the statement reads.
Dish is also involved in five other fee fights, including one with the NFL, Sinclair, HBO, and Apollo Global.
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— Phillip Swann
Why doesn’t Scripp, tell how much they want for carriage, and Dish, how much their willing to pay. And let the subscriber determine, who is at fault. I believe customers should have the option if they want the local channels, or not.
from Milwaukee Wi.
I live in Kansas City and can live without the local Scripp station. I appreciate Dish keeping their pricing lower than other providers. I also know that viewers with Dish have so many choices of entertainment that you don’t miss some of these tv stations. Being an older subscriber on Social Security, if Scripp wants more than a 2% increase, they can rub their knuckles.
“Dishonest” Dish wants to save all the money they can…after all they’ve got to pay for “Dishonest” DirecTV!
Why wouldn’t they give us the cheapest rates. Because I’m already paying for two of my major channels that I no longer have and they’re still collecting the money
Dish has taken fox sports south, and fox! You call local station they say Dish. Call Dish they say call local station! Nothing but passing the buck! Looking for another cable company.
You should be able to break your contract as that’s not what I signed up for. I can’t get Fox Sports North which carries my sports teams and now they have no NFL network. I don’t get a break I my bill, just less channels.
Tried to cancel Dish since I’m no longer receiving channels that was part of the package I pay for. Early termination fee of $350. This is a crock of BS. Not getting service I’m paying for!! Get it together folks!!
Dish says that local station are included on your package price, but checking my statement there is an additional charge of $12.00 per month for local stations. Why am I paying for this when I am not receiving the stations. Seems that Dish is collecting and not paying so they profit we suffer. My early terminations fee is $220, 11 months and I can find other sources,