CBS 2 owner pulls channels from DISH

Sinclair Broadcast Group, owner of CBS 2 in Cedar Rapids, has pulled 129 local television stations in 79 markets from DISH Network's satellite lineup as part of a contract dispute.

DISH, in a news release, said the companies had reached an agreement on rates and all other terms involving the transmission of Sinclair's local stations, but that Maryland-based Sinclair demanded the satellite telecaster pull its signals.

'Sinclair is blacking out 129 local stations in an effort to negotiate a carriage agreement for an unrelated cable channel that it hopes to acquire, but does not own today,” said Warren Schlichting, DISH senior vice president of programming.

In a written statement, Barry Faber, executive vice president and general counsel, responded that DISH is 'trying to spin the facts in an apparent effort to make a political statement.

'While Sinclair, unlike DISH, is not interested in negotiating this transaction in the press, Sinclair remains willing to negotiate a fair deal with DISH,” Faber said.

On Aug. 15, DISH filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission accusing Sinclair of violating the good-faith covenants of the FCC's retransmission consent rules. DISH said it intends to amend the complaint to include allegations that Sinclair has tied the retransmission talks to carrying the unnamed cable channel.

Since January 2012, DISH has been involved in 32 of the 74 retransmission disputes in the United States that have led to having stations blocked for cable and satellite subscribers, according to the National Association of Broadcasters.

KGAN remains available for viewing on DirecTV, local cable and over the air with an antenna.

l Comments: (319) 398-8366; george.ford@thegazette.com