TV Newser is reporting that the Satellite-TV provider Dish Network dropped the Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network on Saturday night because the two companies were unable to agree on the terms of a distribution contract.
Up until Saturday night, there were 14 million Fox subscribers on the Dish Network but Fox Executive Vice President of Distribution Tim Carry says the contract talks have stopped and nothing is happening, “Our phone line is open, we’re willing to talk. Am I negotiating right now? I’m not.”
Dish Network’s SVP of programming Warren Schlichting said that Fox is playing hardball, “It’s like we’re about to close on a house and the realtor is trying to make us buy a new car as well.” He added, “Fox blacked out two of its news channels, using them as leverage to triple rates on sports and entertainment channels that are not in this contract.”
Carry argues that Dish is refusing to negotiate terms similar to other pay-TV networks, “They did not want to accept terms and commitments that have become customary in a Fox News renewal.”
Fox went on the offense and created a Facebook page called “Keep Fox News” where they are urging viewers to contact Dish and demand that they put Fox News and Fox Business back on the air.
One status update reads:
“DISH customers: Where has FOX News gone? DISH has removed#FOXNews and #FOXBusiness from your channel lineup. Don’t let DISH get away with it. Contact DISH today and demand they put FOX News and FOX Business back on the air.”
Fox is reporting that since early Sunday morning, Dish has received over 12 thousand calls from disgruntled viewers – 7 thousand of those callers asked to be connected to Dish so they can be disconnected from service. Dish has also received over 22 thousand emails from viewers complaining about the blackout as well as a deluge of complaints on their Facebook page.
Carry says that Dish has upset a very dedicated audience. “Relative to any other fight they’ve had, they’ve never had a viewer as personally invested as Fox News. Our viewers are invested. They have a personal relationship with us.”
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