Dish Network customers in markets served by Fisher Communications were unable to receive programming immediately after their carriage agreement expired on Dec. 17. Market areas affected include: Seattle/Yakima, WA; Portland/Eugene, OR; Boise/Idaho Falls, ID; and Bakersfield, CA. Fisher attempted to extend the agreement until today (Dec. 22) however Dish rejected the offer.
Stations that are no longer available to DISH subscribers because of the expired agreement include KOMO and KUNS in Seattle, KIMA and KUNW in Yakima, KATU in Portland, KVAL in Eugene, KBCI in Boise, KIDK in Idaho Falls, and KBAK and KBFX in Bakersfield.
“Despite Fisher’s good-faith efforts to negotiate a new agreement, we were unable to reach acceptable terms to ensure that DISH provides us fair compensation for the value they receive from broadcasting our stations, which have leading positions in their markets and consistently deliver highly viewed news and programming,” said Rob Dunlop, Fisher’s Senior Vice President of Operations.
Fisher Communications has filed a $1 million lawsuit against Dish Network for breach of contract. The lawsuit was filed in Oregon on Dec. 18.
