Dish Drops NFL Network And NFL RedZone
Satellite TV operator Dish Network blacked out the National Football League-owned sports channels, NFL Network and NFL RedZone, amid a dispute related to fees. The NFL channels went dark on Dish's network on Thursday evening, after a disagreement over distribution fees.
"Our contract with NFL Network has expired. We remain open to a fair offer that allows us to carry this content at an appropriate value to our customers," Dish said in a statement.
The NFL has set up a website that lists television networks that still carry its channels so viewers can watch games through other providers such as Comcast Corp's XFINITY and AT&T Inc's DIRECTV. http://www.iwantnflnetwork.com
Dish is also locked in a battle with Tribune Media Co over fees to carry Tribune-owned stations and cable network WGN America.
Dish said on Sunday about 5 million subscribers had lost access to 42 Tribune-owned local channels and cable network WGN America in 33 markets across 34 states and the District of Columbia.
On Thursday, Dish asked Tribune to agree to an arbitration process to restore its channels. Dish has said it has been giving customers free antennas to help them gain access to Tribune's programming. In response, Tribune suggested the U.S. Federal Communications Commission monitor contract talks between the two parties.