Nexstar-Operated Mission Broadcasting and White Knight Broadcasting Pull Local Channels from DISH TV Customers

Rhea-AI Summary

DISH Network has lost access to local channels operated by Mission Broadcasting and White Knight Broadcasting due to their refusal of DISH's contract extension offers. This removal affects customers in 28 markets nationwide, eliminating channels such as ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CW, and MNT. DISH President Brian Neylon expressed disappointment over the situation, emphasizing the unreasonable rate increases demanded by the broadcasters amid declining viewership. DISH aims to continue negotiations to restore service and keep costs low for customers.

Positive

• DISH Network's commitment to negotiate in good faith to restore access to local channels.
• The company's low price strategy for customers despite external pressures.

Negative

• Loss of local channels affecting 28 markets, which may lead to customer dissatisfaction.
• Mission and White Knight's demand for unreasonable rate increases amidst declining viewership may signal a longer-term dispute.

• Mission and White Knight demand unreasonable rate increases as their viewership with DISH subscribers continues to decline
• Mission and White Knight rejected DISH's extension offers to keep programming accessible to customers while negotiations continue

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Jan. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mission Broadcasting and White Knight Broadcasting local channels, both operated by Nexstar Media Group, were removed from DISH TV today, affecting access in 28 markets nationwide. With this removal, DISH customers no longer have access to the local channels in Mission's markets, such as ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CW and MNT, and to White Knight stations in two markets.

"Both programming groups rejected DISH's contract extension offers to keep programming available for customers while we continue to negotiate," said Brian Neylon, group president, DISH TV. "We're disappointed Mission and White Knight have chosen this course of action. The demanded fees are unreasonable given that Mission and White Knight's viewership on DISH have significantly declined over the past three years, indicating that many viewers have moved to other channels for programming they prefer."

Mission and White Knight's actions are not unexpected. In the past year, the Nexstar-controlled programmers removed channels from Comcast, DirecTV, AT&T U-Verse and Verizon Fios. Mission is currently in a long-term dispute with DirecTV. It pulled its channels from DirecTV customers in mid-October, forcing more than a million customers to look elsewhere to watch their favorite programming.

"Broadcasters like Mission and White Knight often block customer access as they negotiate for higher rates," added Neylon. "We will continue to fight on behalf of DISH customers to keep prices as low as possible. We hope Mission and White Knight will continue to negotiate with us in good faith so we can minimize the disruption to our customers."

DISH customers can visit DISHPromise.com for more information.

Stations Affected:

Mission:

• (NBC: KRBC) - Abilene, TX
• (FOX: WXXA) -  Albany, NY
• (CW: KWBQ) - Albuquerque, NM
• (MNT: KASY) - Albuquerque, NM
• (FOX: KCIT) - Amarillo, TX
• (MNT: KCPN) - Amarillo, TX
• (FOX: KHMT) - Billings, MT
• (ABC: WVNY) - Burlington, VT
• (FOX: KLJB) - Davenport, IA
• (FOX: WFXP) - Erie, PA
• (CW: WTVW) - Evansville, IN
• (FOX: KFQX) - Grand Junction, CO
• (ABC: KODE) - Joplin, MO
• (ABC: WLAJ) - Lansing, MI
• (FOX: KLRT) - Little Rock, AR
• (CW: KASN)  -  Little Rock, AR
• (ABC: KAMC) - Lubbock, TX
• (NBC: KTVE) - Monroe, LA
• (CW: WPIX) - New York, NY
• (FOX: KPEJ) - Odessa, TX
• (FOX: WNAC) - Providence, RI
• (ABC: WTVO) - Rockford, IL
• (NBC: KSAN) - San Angelo, TX
• (FOX: KMSS) - Shreveport, LA
• (CBS: KOLR) - Springfield, MO
• (ABC: WAWV) - Terre Haute, IN
• (ABC: WUTR) - Utica, NY
• (FOX: KJTL) - Wichita Falls, TX
• (MNT: KJBO) - Wichita Falls, TX
• (CBS: WYOU) - Wilkes Barre, PA

White Knight:

• (NBC: WVLA) - Baton Rouge, LA
• (FOX: KFXK) - Tyler-Longview-Lufkin, TX

About DISH

DISH Network Corporation is a connectivity company. Since 1980, it has served as a disruptive force, driving innovation and value on behalf of consumers. Through its subsidiaries, the company provides television entertainment and award-winning technology to millions of customers with its satellite DISH TV and streaming SLING TV services. In 2020, the company became a nationwide U.S. wireless carrier through the acquisition of Boost Mobile. DISH continues to innovate in wireless, building the nation's first virtualized, O-RAN 5G broadband network. DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) is a Fortune 200 company.

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SOURCE DISH Network Corporation

FAQ

What happened with DISH and Mission Broadcasting on January 6, 2023?

On January 6, 2023, DISH lost access to local channels from Mission Broadcasting due to contract disputes.

Which channels were removed from DISH TV?

Channels like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CW, and MNT were removed from DISH TV.

How many markets are affected by DISH's loss of local channels?

The loss of local channels affects customers in 28 markets nationwide.

What reasons did DISH provide for the loss of programming?

DISH cited unreasonable rate increases demanded by Mission and White Knight amid declining viewership as reasons for the loss.

What steps is DISH taking following the loss of local channels?

DISH is committed to negotiating with Mission and White Knight to restore services and keep customer prices low.