Retransmission consent fee hikes
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Gray Media Forces Blackout of 226 Local Channels, Disrupting DISH TV Customers Nationwide
Prnewswire· 2026-03-10 22:55
Core Viewpoint - Gray Media has blacked out 226 local channels from the DISH TV lineup, affecting customers nationwide due to a dispute over retransmission consent fee increases [1] Group 1: Company Actions - Gray Media disconnected its local stations after DISH refused to accept significant rate increases that would raise monthly bills for consumers [1] - The blackout affects 226 local stations across 113 markets in the U.S., disrupting access to local news, sports, and weather for millions of viewers [1] Group 2: DISH's Position - DISH is committed to keeping monthly costs stable and is resisting unreasonable rate hikes for content that is often available for free [1] - The company remains willing to negotiate and restore the channels if Gray Media agrees to a fair, market-based deal [1] Group 3: Customer Impact and Alternatives - DISH customers can access local programming through various alternatives during the blackout, including streaming options and over-the-air antennas [1] - DISH encourages customers to visit DISHPromise.com for updates and information on accessing local channels [1]