TV Trouble for Millions of Viewers as Dish, Tegna Hit Stalemate

By Joe Flint A contract dispute between satellite broadcaster Dish Network Corp. and TV-station operator Tegna Inc. has left millions of subscribers across the U.S. without programming from the major broadcast networks. The two sides have been unable to come to terms on a new deal that would allow Dish to continue to carry 46 television stations owned or managed by Tegna, in 38 markets across 33 states and the District of Columbia. Such blackouts are becoming commonplace as local broadcasters and broadcast networks seek higher distribution fees from pay-TV operators. Conversely, feeling the pinch from subscribers cutting the cord in favor of streaming services, cable and satellite operators are pushing back against price increases from programmers. In the current dispute, both sides issued statements blaming the other for the stalemate. Dish said it offered to extend the current agreement while negotiations continued. Tegna, which was formerly Gannett Co., said Dish is a "serial dropper" of channels and isn't interested in reaching a fair deal, as other pay-TV distributors have with the broadcaster. Tegna is the largest independent owner of NBC and CBS affiliates in the country, which means if an agreement or temporary accord isn't reached by Sunday, many Dish subscribers will be without coverage of the National Football League. Tegna is also the fourth-largest owner of ABC affiliates. Dish's general counsel, R. Stanton Dodge, said Tegna's decision to pull its stations is "a prime example of why Washington needs to stand up for consumers and end local channel blackouts." Tegna countered in its statement that Dish is "preventing its customers from accessing valued channels, even as customers continue to pay for that content." Write to Joe Flint at joe.flint@ wsj.com Access Investor Kit for "Gannett Co., Inc." Visit http://www.companyspotlight.co m/partner?cp_code=P479& isin=US87901J1051 Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnw ires (END) Dow Jones Newswires 10-10-150105ET Copyright (c) 2015 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. http://www.nasdaq.com/article/tv-trouble-for-millions-of-viewers-as-dish-tegna-hit-stalemate-20151010-00002