Dish customers were quick to jump on social media to share the news that their Fox channels have gone dark as of this afternoon. Fox channels are also removed from Sling TV.
Channels currently unavailable include FS1, FS2, Big 10 Network, Fox Soccer Plus and Fox Deportes. Fox. Local channels in 17 markets across 23 states have been affected. A full list of those markets can be found here.
Here’s a statement from Fox, according to John Ourand from Sports Business Journal on Twitter.
“Dish/Sling is at it again, choosing to drop leading programming as a negotiating tactic regardless of the impact on its own customers. Dish/Sling elected to drop Fox networks in an effort to coerce us to agree to outrageous demands. While we regret this is DISH/Sling’s preferred approach to negotiating, we remind our loyal viewers that the Fox services are widely available through every other major television provider.”
Dish was quick to comment on the situation as well.
“Taken together, Fox’s actions are profoundly anti-consumer,” said Andy LeCuyer, DISH senior vice president of Programming. “Fox is raising prices and turning its back on its public obligation to provide channels to consumers for free. It’s clear that Fox cares more about padding its bottom line than serving its viewers.”
“To add insult to injury, Fox pulled its channels right as viewers head into the heart of the NFL and college football season,” continued LeCuyer. “We ask Fox to stop punishing its own viewers so we can focus on reaching a fair deal.”
At the time that the channels were removed, Dish and Fox were making progress in their negotiations. Dish offered to enter into a short term contract extension that would keep the channels live for both Dish and Sling customers. That deal would have included a true-up, ensuring that Fox would be compensated at the newly agreed upon rates after a deal had been made. Fox opted not to take that deal.
Dish customers can learn more and find out how to contact Fox about bringing their channels back HERE.
This is breaking news. We’ll update when we have more details.
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