DISH has announced that after a rejected request for a contract extension, Mission Broadcasting has blacked out local channels for DISH customers in 21 markets spanning 18 states.
“Mission proudly claims on its website that its stations ‘provide free over-the-air programming,’ but clearly their actions could not run more counter to that claim,” said Brian Neylon, president of DISH TV. “Not only is Mission trying to force DISH customers to pay an outrageous 50% price increase for the same old content, they are also demanding payment from customers who don’t even subscribe to local channels. It makes no sense.”
This is the second time this year that the stations have been blacked out by Mission. Early this year, the two companies were in a contract dispute that resulted in the blackout. An agreement was made in March and the channels were restored until now.
“Mission has gone from working with us to support viewers in the communities we both serve to chasing dollar signs however they can,” continued Neylon. “Why? It’s simple. The NFL season has begun and Mission thinks they found the leverage they need. We don’t see it that way. Serving customers is a year-round commitment for us, and we won’t let them be played as pawns by a greedy broadcaster.”
ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CW and MyTV stations in the following markets are affected by the blackout.
| KLJB | Davenport-Rock Island- Moline IA | 682 | FOX |
| KPEJ | Odessa-Midland TX | 633 | FOX |
| KMSS | Shreveport LA | 612 | FOX |
| KRBC | Abilene-Sweetwater TX | 662 | NBC |
| KCIT | Amarillo TX | 634 | FOX |
| KCPN | Amarillo TX | 634 | MNT |
| KHMT | Billings MT | 756 | FOX |
| WVNY | Burlington-Plattsburgh VT | 523 | ABC |
| WFXP | Erie PA | 516 | FOX |
| WTVW | Evansville IN | 649 | CW |
| KFQX | Grand Junction-Montrose CO | 773 | FOX |
| KODE | Joplin MO-Pittsburg KS | 603 | ABC |
| KASN | Little Rock-Pine Bluff AR | 693 | CW |
| KLRT | Little Rock-Pine Bluff AR | 693 | FOX |
| KAMC | Lubbock TX | 651 | ABC |
| KTVE | Monroe LA-El Dorado AR | 628 | NBC |
| WTVO | Rockford IL | 610 | ABC |
| KSAN | San Angelo TX | 661 | NBC |
| KOLR | Springfield MO | 619 | CBS |
| WAWV | Terre Haute IN | 581 | ABC |
| WUTR | Utica NY | 526 | ABC |
| KJBO | Wichita Falls-Lawton TX | 627 | MNT |
| KJTL | Wichita Falls-Lawton TX | 627 | FOX |
| WYOU | Wilkes Barre-Scranton PA | 577 | CBS |
Did you know we have a YouTube Channel? Every week we have a live Cord Cutting Q&A, and weekly Cord Cutting recap shows exclusively on our YouTube Channel!
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more news, tips, and reviews. Need cord cutting tech support? Join our Cord Cutting Tech Support Facebook Group for help.