Dish Network Calls On FCC To Intervene As Media General Prolongs Blackout

(RTTNews) - Dish Network Corp. (DISH) announced Friday that its subsidiary DISH Network L.L.C. or DISH filed a complaint against Media General (MEG), requesting that the Federal Communications Commission immediately require Media General to negotiate in good faith to resolve a blackout that began October 1.

In the Complaint, DISH explained how Media General has breached its statutory duty to negotiate in good faith: "Media General's conduct violates the Commission's rules requiring good faith negotiation for retransmission consent rights, because, among other things, Media General failed to respond for 11 days to DISH's last pre-blackout offer."

Media General blocked programming from DISH customers in 17 markets after a retransmission contract expired.

"DISH customers and Media General viewers were without their shows and events for 11 days before Media General would even contact us," said Dave Shull, DISH executive vice president.

"We reacted with a counter offer within hours and Media General has yet to respond. DISH is asking the FCC to act expeditiously to address Media General's bad faith, push them back to the negotiating table and submit to mediation to get programming back to consumers," said Dave Shull.

In negotiations prior to Media General's takedown, the Richmond, Va.-based broadcaster rejected DISH's offer to match the rates paid by primary pay-TV competitors, and additionally declined to receive the same rates DISH pays to other area broadcasters.

According to DISH, Media General has also tried to force DISH to renegotiate its completely separate deal with Young Broadcasting. Media General is making this improper demand as it awaits its proposed acquisition by Young Broadcasting, currently under FCC regulatory review.