Fox Networks is blocking DISH Network from access to 19 Fox regional sports networks, FX and National Geographic Channel until a new contract is worked out.
As has become the custom lately in similar contractual standoffs between program and distribution titans such as Time Warner, Disney, Cablevision, Comcast, and others, Fox has also taken its case to the consumer with national TV, print and web ads. Those ads also warn customers that DISH blackout could extend to the national Fox broadcast network and local Fox affiliate stations in early November when those contracts expire.
The DISH satellite service, which claims that Fox is demanding a 50% rate hike, had hoped to continue delivering the channels to its customers during negotiations. Fox says it wants networks like FX and the local sports network in each region included in the basic DISH service rather than requiring customers to pay extra to get packages with those channels.
“DISH Network is not going to allow FOX or any programmer to bully our customers into paying such an unconscionable price increase,” said Dave Shull, senior vice president of Programming for DISH. “Fox has a long history of trying to shake down pay TV providers, including Cablevision, Time Warner, and Bright House. Our customers should not be held hostage in order to finance FOX’s irresponsible acquisition of sports rights. Consumers are already burdened enough in this challenging economy.”
In the meantime, during the Fox lockout, DISH Network will make the following channels available to all affected customers at no additional charge: HD Net Movies, HD Theater, NBA TV, New England Sports Network, NFL Network, NHL Network, Altitude Sports, Big Ten Network, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast Sports Network Mid-Atlantic, Comcast Sports New England, ESPN Classic, FOX Sports Northwest, FOX Sports Pittsburgh, FOX Sports Rocky Mountain, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network2, SportsNet New York, and SportsTime Ohio.
DISH Network has also created a series of websites to help inform consumers about the nature of this dispute:
www.FoxShakedownDISH.com
www.WeOfferedFoxAFairDeal.com,
www.FoxRefused.com,
www.HowMuchMoreCanWeTake.com,
For additional information about DISH Network’s fight for consumer choice, visit
www.DISHWillContinueToFightForCustomers.com.
www.ForceFedChannels.com,
www.JoinTheFightAgainstFox.com.
— By Scott Hettrick
please put fox spots and sports south back on the air
We WILL NOT continue to pay for what we were contracted to get. During these tough economic times, we certainly can’t pay MORE for what we were getting under contract. I ,somewhat, agree with others about the fact that the baseball season is about over, especially for some of our meaningless teams, but if this situation continues come next spring and we are threatened with higher rates, Dish is outta here. Sounds like Fox needs to talk with Osamabama and his band of socialist thieves for a “bailout”.
Rupert Murdock should be shipped back to [his] own counrty! He’s not even an American! And now, one of the richest people {Here} in the states is wanting to hold hostage Fox Sports Midwest!!!!! You sir are a joke! Put the FoxSportsMiswest back on the air. How much money is enough?? If you had a heart in your chest , like MOST PEOPLE, you wouldn’t run after another wheelbll full of money! When is enough , enough??
I wish that DISH would respond by dropping FOX news.
My husband and I purchased Dish Network last March in Fort Myers, FL. The trailer park in which we live during the winter months would not allow viewers in the park to keep Comcast. It prefers to use its own tv service, internet service, and telephone service. As a result we turned to Dish Network because they offered “snowbird” tv service – we could have a dish in MN and a dish in FL and receive all the networks offered in their classic Silver 200 for a minimum price of $39.95. This included the Big Ten Network (which my husband enjoys – alum of U of Wisconsin and Fox Sports Network (which I enjoy for the Twins, the Timberwolves, and the Wild. Suddenly on October 1st – no more Twins.
I understand the need for contracts between groups, but some consideration needs to be given to the customers. If all of us boycotted all Fox channels, its ownership would not need to worry about a contract because there would be no customers. Please see a way to come to an agreement.
Now we can’t watch the Magic games. You’ve got to be kidding me. We canceled Bright House a few years ago, because of the same thing! Ticked Off!
look mr murdock donated 1million dollars to the republican party in order to get that money back he wants a 50% hike from dishnetwork which i don’t think they should pay i know i’ll lose my sports channels but i think dishnet is doing the right thing,because it’s 50% today what will it be in a couple of yrs. 80%? keep up the good fight dishnetwok i’m still here for you.
Can we get out of contract with dishnet since they broke their contract with us we asked if they had fox sports and prime ticket now they dont
Why don’t they block some of the violent shows on television. I enjoy watching PBS and now
they have removed it from my Dish Network. I love Dish Network and cannot pay any more
as I am a senior on a fixed income. I do not understand why they remove the PBS channel.
This is not a sports channel.
Are you kidding me we left cable a while back because Fox pulled the same stunt we are huge Orlando Magic fans and all we want is to watch our games give us a break Fox do you not make enough money the way it is why are you so bent on hurting the little guys (like the consumer) we pay high prices for everything from food to gas I work all day and ant the end of it I just want to relax and watch some sports GIVE ME BACK MY CHANNELS!!!! With such a big corp. that you have can you not at least give up some for others.
I missed game six between the Giants and the Phillies because of the FOX lockout!!! with the World Series around the corner, what am I goning to do??? FOX, you can’t be hurting for money!!! Have a heart, settle the negotiations at a reasonable price and let us have the Regional FOX Sports channels back!!!Please!!!
I miss the days of 3 major televisions stations – where you weren’t held hostage over rates, equipment purchases, contracts or leases.
So tell me if Altitude Sports was not affected by this where did it go? I called dish to cancel my subsricption becasue I had been bumped up to the highest package without my concent or knowledge, I was paying for games I did not order or even know about and the one game I did order I called and canceled months ago, yet I was still paying for it. So after the rep promised to reimburse me for some of the months of the game and dropped me back to where I was supposed to be on my package I agreed to stay. But I specifically asked if I would still have altitide sports and was assured I would. About two weeks later it completely disappered. It’s not like the channels I don’t subscribe to that are in red or green on the guide, it is completely gone. I am so over being ripped off by dish.