TV Answer Man, I go to your site every day to see if there’s anything new with my local CBS station on Dish. Is there anything new in this thing. It’s been a long time that we haven’t had the channel on our Dish lineup. This is driving us crazy here. — Marie, Fairfax, Virginia.
Marie, the Dish-Tegna blackout of 64 network affiliates in the satcaster’s lineup today enters its 20th day. Over the last few days, I have received several e-mails and reader forum comments containing urgent pleas for new information on the dispute.
However, I am sorry to say there has been no significant developments in Dish vs. Tegna since October 18 when Dish filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) against Tegna, charging the broadcaster with negotiating in ‘bad faith.’ The FCC has yet to act on the complaint as of this morning.
Meanwhile, Dish and Tegna continue to trade insults and charges via their social media platforms. But that’s common in fee fights so they don’t necessarily reveal anything about the status of the talks.
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“This interruption is a negotiation tactic by Tegna to get viewers like you upset, so you put pressure on DISH to accept their contract terms. We’ll continue to work hard to reach an agreement with Tegna that is fair for you, Tegna, and DISH,” Dish’s Twitter account said late last night.
“Dish charges you for delivering our station and your favorite shows. Now they’ve announced a $5 monthly rate increase for subscribers despite providing fewer channels. Call 1-800-531-5000 to switch to DIRECTV or visit KEEPMYLOCALTV.COM to see your options.,” Tegna responded on its Twitter account nine minutes later.
Tegna was referring to Dish’s announcement last week that it will raise prices on most packages by $5 a month, effective November 16, 2021.
The TV Answer Man will continue to monitor this dispute and report back here if anything substantial changes. Until then, happy viewing, and stay safe!
Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvpredictions.com. Please include your first name and hometown in your message.
— Phillip Swann
4
Instead of trying to merge in with internet, fix the problem you are having with local channels, it is so surprising dish is the only one with this problem, are they going to take this off my bill? I don’t think that’s going to happen, just out for more money so they dollar you to death.
Agreed! TEGNA and Dish have put us as consumers in a position of Loss of the Service that we continue to pay full rates for each month. Now, instead of providing a solution that doesn’t cost us more; OR providing a partial refund for the already lost services, we are looking at having to pay MORE just to get the packages back that we originally signed a contract for. A contract that is supposed to be good for 2 years! Apparently the only people that have to hold up there end of a contract anymore are the ones making the payment.
Curious what we can do as the consumers paying the bills? Where would it hurt them the most? Obviously their pocket book but what can we do?
Boycott the advertisers and pressure them to have Tegna negotiate with the consumer in mind and not the board of directors/stock holders?
Two questions:
1) How much of this dispute has to do with the recent acquisitions by Tegna?
2) Can we not pressure the companies that pay huge fees to advertise on Tegna’s channels to force an agreement?
I can if Tegna can do this to Dish then I imagine they can pull this stunt with many of other dozen or so providers.
So what is our leverage?
– File multiple complaints with FCC, voice our disdain our local congressmen (although I’m not sure they would be willing to speak up for something like this)?
– Drop Dish and go another provider that will eventually happen to them as well?
– or is this forcing all of us to sign up for the live streaming services and pay more?
Alright FCC, it’s time to work for your pay!
I’m wondering if franchises like The Bachelorette, The Bachelor, don’t say something. They are losing thousands of viewers. Either that or they are hoping everyone will pay extra for the appropriate app.