By Rob Dumke
New year, new MVPD impasse.
Last week, Dish subscribers across a slew of Midwestern states lost access to local television stations owned by Block Communications. As is the case with such disagreements, both sides are blaming each other.
By law, DISH on January 12 blocked Block-owned network affiliates from its users, in absence of a new retransmission fee accord.
In Block’s view, DISH is the problem. “We have negotiated in good faith with DISH to come to a fair-market agreement,” the owner said on one of its station’s websites. “We even offered DISH nine extensions just in this past month to keep our stations available to subscribers and get a deal done.”
But, DISH wasn’t open to an extension. As such, the FOX affiliate and that of The CW Network in Louisville, WDRB-41 and WBKI-TV; NBC affiliate WAND-TV in Decatur, Ill.; and all four network affiliates serving tiny Lima, Ohio, are off Dish.
The Lima situation is particularly vexing, as Block is the owner of dual ABC/CBS affiliate WOHL-CA; and dual NBC/Fox affiliates WLIO. Block acquired WOHL in 2008.
On its website, DISH pointed fingers at Block for not playing fair.
“We have been working with Block Communications to reach a new deal to carry their channels, but they are asking for a rate increase that is simply unacceptable,” it said. “We don’t think this is fair for you to have to pay more for the same content you get today. That is why we are fighting hard to keep your TV bill as low possible. We appreciate your patience while we continue to work with Block Communications on reaching a fair agreement to restore their channels.”
