DISH network reaches new contract for WHIO service

DISH and parent company to WDTN still negotiating to avoid blackout
News
By Randy Tucker
April 1, 2016
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DISH Network reached agreement on a new contract with the parent company of WHIO-TV Channel 7 and granted a short contract extension to the parent company of WDTN-TV Channel 2 — avoiding a blackout locally for both that DISH had threatened when its contracts with the stations expired Thursday.

At issue were the fees TV stations charge cable and satellite operators to carry their programming. The deals are re-negotiated on a regular basis but usually without any disruption in service. Without the contracts, DISH is not permitted to broadcast the local stations.

“We (were) simply seeking a fair deal, which adequately values the award-winning news, sports, entertainment, weather and traffic programming that is paramount to our local viewers,” said Rob Rohr, WHIO-TV General Manager.

Cox Media Group and DISH reached agreement on a new contract shortly before 7 p.m. Thursday. Media General announced soon after that they and DISH had agreed to a temporary extension while they continued to negotiate.

The negotiations affected stations all over the country and were over DISH service for the stations operated by Cox Media Group, the parent company of WHIO-TV, as well as Media General, the parent company of WDTN-TV.

“We continue to work hard to reach a deal with DISH before our agreement expires,” Courtney Guertin, a spokeswoman for Media General, WDTN’s parent, said shortly before the deadline.

Officials at DISH could not be reached for comment.

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About the Author

Randy Tucker