Dish Network (Nasdaq: DISH) subscribers across nine markets from Boise to Tucson could lose their local signals at midnight if the satellite carrier can't reach a retransmission consent deal with Journal Broadcast Group-unless, of course, Dish accepts Journal's offer to extend the negotiating period.
"We don't know if they're going to accept that extension so that's the question. Are we going to be on the Dish Network after Thursday? We don't know. We hope so," said Journal Chairman-CEO Steve Smith.
Dish issued a boilerplate retrans consent statement that it is "continuing to negotiate" and that it's all part of a "normal course of business."
For more:
- see this story
Related articles:
Retrans fee battles? You ain't seen nothing yet
Dish vs. Journal Broadcast next up for retrans; Cobridge launches digital phone service in Texas