21st Century Fox and Dish pointed the finger at each other tonight as carriage talks between the two failed to produce a deal by midnight, resulting in Fox News Channel and Fox Business Channel no longer being available on Dish. Both sides blamed the other for the shutdowns.
“It is disappointing that, after nearly two decades without a blackout, Fox News Channel has been blocked by Dish Network,” Tim Carry, EVP Distribution at Fox News Channel said late tonight. “We care deeply about our viewers and hope that they will regain access to the number one cable news channel soon. We will continue to work around the clock to reach an agreement with Dish, as we have done with every other pay-TV provider for 18 years. This is the third time in as many months that Dish customers have suffered through a blackout due toDish intransigence. Dish’s record speaks for itself, and makes its rhetoric about ‘reasonable’ agreements ring hollow.”
Countered Dish: “Tonight, 21st Century Fox, Inc. blocked Dish customer access to Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network, as the media conglomerate introduced other channels into negotiations despite those channels not being included in the contract up for renewal.”
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Dish’s SVP of Programming Warren Schlichting compared some last-minute Fox additions to the negotiations to home buying: “It’s like we’re about to close on a house and the realtor is trying to make us buy a new car as well. Fox blacked out two of its news channels, using them as leverage to triple rates on sports and entertainment channels that are not in this contract.”
Dish said the service disruption even though it offered Fox a short-term contract extension that would preserve the channels as negotiations continued.
“Dish has had a productive relationship with Fox for many years,” added Schlichting. “We regret the service disruption to our customers and remain committed to reaching an agreement that promptly returns this content to Dish’s programming lineup.”
“Horseradish,” responded Fox News Channel’s Carry – or words to that effect.
“Fox News Channel did not disconnect Dish, rather, Dish prematurely ceased distribution of Fox News in an attempt to intimidate and sway our negotiations,” he said. “It is unfortunate that the millions of Fox News viewers on Dish were used as pawns by their provider. Hopefully they will vote with their hard earned money and seek another one of our other valued distributors immediately.”
Last Sunday, Fox’s NFL Sunday afternoon coverage featured an ad warning Dish customers they soon could lose Fox News Channel on their menus. Fox-owned stations continued carrying the ad. The programmer launched a website, KeepFoxNews.com, urging Dish viewers to complain.
Dish’s Twitter customer-service page, meanwhile, warned customers, “Fox is making unreasonable financial demands” to continue carrying FNC and FBC, adding, “We have had a productive relationship with Fox for many years and are confident we can reach an agreement.”
It’s the third Dish contract expiration to make news in the past couple months. Most recently, CBS yanked its programming from Dish in early December after acrimonious talks. A deal was struck soon thereafter restoring the network’s stations to the satellite service.
And, back in October, Turner’s deal with Dish expired, leaving 14 million Dish subscribers without CNN, HLN, TBS, TNT and other Turner networks. Service resumed in late November after a deal was struck.
Another week, another channel dropped by Dish. Thanks Charlie!
The 221 comments (and counting) are the evidence of the most agitation experienced by America’s Suburban 60 and 70somethings since Matlock was cancelled!
I need Fox News I am totally addicted I’m addicted to the truth I have dish and have been promised that they will work things out with you
you must be crazy,fox and truth in the same sentence!!!!!
Is Dish being used by Obama to force Fox to shut down as informed
Wouldn’t surprise me
Lucky Dish viewers…if the talks fall through forever, that’s reason enough for me to switch.
I give DISH 1 week to resolve this or I moved to DirecTV for sure.
agreed
I did the same thing through a formal complaint a few days ago.
Don’t wait, make the switch pronto. Can’t beat direct tv.
Direct TV is dropping channels too..
No you are misinformed directv is actually adding channels and is upgrading to 4K no other company is so far!
Is obama behind this? Am I left with msnbc and cnn.Thanks dish. I will cancel my subscription Tomorrow!!!!!
Agreed!
Is obama behind this?
Really? Can you really think that?
LOL
Shhh – I just went long on tin foil. Don’t stop the run now!
Only a Fox viewer would ask such a stupid question. Are you people brainwashed or what?
ok now how many will say I’m cancelling my Dish account because ___________channel isn’t available on Dish. This is getting a little funny now. Anything FOX I am glad to see go, but give it a few weeks and it will be back on.
It’s like a bad penny it keeps coming back.
Yeah as you see it we should only get the happening events that the liberal so called new reporters think we should know about
You’ve got to be a liberal!!!!!!!!!!!
OR, he/she is simply someone who is smart enough not to get their news from liars and fear-mongers.
OR a supposedly tolerant liberal who has NO tolerance for a point a view they don’t agree with.
I guess I don’t agree with lies and deliberate misinformation common of the Fox Propaganda Platform. Even a far right wing extremist would have to agree that fox saying they are “Fair and Balanced” is a blatant lie… at least an honest far right wing extremist would admit that…..
An honest far right extremist ?? You lib tools are knee-slapping funny! Thanks for the laugh
you are free to watch what you want ,and we have the same free right
hope so penny’s make dollars! and truth prevails!!
Now if only Comcast would do the same, and Time Warner and Brighthouse and Cox and ………
So, you think a news blackout is good?
No, but a blackout of lies and right-wing propaganda masquersading as news suits me and lots of people just fine.
The stupid is strong in this one.
You don’t like propaganda? Then go back to your MSNBC propaganda machine and remain ignorant of what’s really happening. At least Fox includes liberals in discussions.
Indeed – Fox News “liberals” are the cable news equivalent of the Washington Generals. Juan Williams and Kristen Powers are beltway centrists who put up a tepid push back for 30 seconds before taking a well paid flop to the canvas.
Stupid lasts forever
As the saying goes, you can’t fix stupid. It’s SUCH a waste of time talking to Progs. They do say some really funny things though…
What news? This is an opinion show stoking the fires of the ignorant
Wow what an idiot. I would NEVER want to black out the only Liberal news channels. How can I measure the truth if I only get one side. I guess you only want to hear what you want to hear. How sad.
Dish should not let Fox keep asking for more money.
Fox needs to be seen to make money so they should thank Dish and cable for getting the Channels to people not keep asking for more money from the people that watch. Dish should not back down it will hurt Fox more than Dish.
All Cable and satellite providers should stick together to keep prices down.
These on air people do not need to make millions of dollars a year and the same with sports.
You mean like all of the people who play sports for multiple million dollar contracts and then abuse their girlfriends and claim that they didn’t, just another liberal mouthpiece expressing their own opinion
One last retort with Warren Schlichting of DISH NETWORK…
Just one thought to consider…..Do you want to be known as the guy who made the decision that forced DISH network to lose subscribers??? I can see that board meeting several months from now when DISh losses amount to more than what they would have paid to FOX to keep the network…..sounds something like this: “So Warren, you thought taking a stand with FOX was worth the loss of customer business and sustainable future revenue?”, and your reply would be…..
As long as you are convinced this is not about you and your negotiating skills and truly about the consumer who ultimately pays the bill…
By the way my Bill is $170 a month so I do feel it with Dish Network…
From: “Schlichting, Warren”
Date: Sunday, December 21, 2014 at 10:40 AM
To: Bill Pritzker
Subject: Re: Customer Service, 4805887721
Bill, imagine us taking your monthly cable bill from $85 to $170 in the course of one month. That’s the sort of price increase that Fox is trying to jam us with. The increases demanded by Fox and CBS are unsustainable for you and all for all of us in pay television. Dish is taking a stand against this sort of price gouging and we appreciate your loyalty.
Warren Schlichting
Senior Vice President
DISH Programming & Media Sales
W: (917) 305-4429
M: (646) 456-9072
W. P. : Good post except for one detail. nether FOX nor Dish pay for ANYTHING! We, the consumers, pay.
AMEN!
WEll said !
Finally some wisdom. Thanks!
Hey WP…
get back to the negotiating table and get Fox News back, before they provide their own cable service and put you out of business.
Warren, had to laugh about the $70/mo price reduction I was offered when I called to cancel my service. After 7 years of being a loyal customer imagine how I felt when I have been over charged for the last 7 years. Thanks you very much for giving me a reason to shop. . .i love my new DTV provider.
Stick 2 your g
uns Dish. I can’t wait for the day I can pay to watch only the channel I want
I would bet on that, without Fox News I do not need Dish Network
me neither
Same here.
This idiot wants cable companies to join together against the free market process. Ahhh illegal…
Ummm what you are suggesting is called an anti-trust violation. Just on case you have any interest in silly things like free competition.
Dish is so full of it.
Cancel your subscription and get another carrier.
We must demand freedom of speech in America.
Another moron who has no freaking clue what, “freedom of speech” actually means.
Freedom of Speech is being pushed to the limit. Fox right or wrong in your view , is my right to watch! If you don’t like Fox News, don’t watch it!! I choose to. Moron.
Freedom of Speech, as defined under the First Amendment, refers to the Government censoring speech. This is a free market issue, not a free speech issue.
Free??? It’s not free, we are paying for it and we want what we pay for.
We can tell you are a Fox person. Look how you talk to people and call them names when you get riled. Fits the profile of a true Fox viewer.
Calling people morons while hiding behind anonymity?
You must work for DirecTV or fox if you think DISH has pulled the plug. Why would they want people to leave their company. Fox wants more,$ and or to add some more channels. Do we really need more channels. This is the problem with free enterprise in the TV industry. They all need to show profits for shareholders and both are making millions and they both don’t care about you or me. All they care about $. What’s the answer? Turn your TV off, watch less of their programing, and definitely if your not setting down watching it turn it off. Programmers know what’s being watched so if it’s on that channel and no ones watching it looks like it’s being watched. TV rates have out paced food prices. The answer…. Watch less TV.
Just where do you think those profits go? FOX doesn’t get to keep them. Dish doesn’t get to keep them. Maybe you would prefer to live in Myanmar, where everyone watches the one state-run TV channel!
Dish has 14 Million subscribers. I don’t know how many are Fox viewers but only the rabid Fox news viewers will really care. However, the longer Fox is off the air the better chance of those with withdrawal symptoms have of gaining IQ points. I mean, survey after survey has shown Fox News Viewers to be the least informed in the country, even worse than those who watch no news at all.
But then again, since most people who watch tune in to mainly to confirm their own misguided beliefs and wealth of misinformation among other “things”, I’m sure that group will simply tune in Sean, Bill on the radio so they can continue living in their bubble in peace.
How can you say dish viewers are the least informed? If you took the time to watch it you would find a lot of news that is not covered on all the other shows. Dish gives you it all and is not trying to cover up so many of our government’s sleazy actions. They also give both sides of the issue, quite unlike the other networks. I for one give dish one week to get Fox back or we are dropping them.
Wow…someone failed at reading comprehension.
Don’t worry Anon. You can find a reading comprehension course somewhere! Sorry for your failure!
I am with you on this.
Add me to the list of those who will change carriers.
But, I will not wait a week. Monday looks like my time line.
This is looking like a Good thing!!
Oh fer the love of…
Slowly now. Take a deep breath. Go back. Read Clyde’s comment again. Verbatim.
The rest of the class will wait for you…
Now, slowly and carefully, read out loud the section where Clyde says, “dish viewers are the least informed”. Again, we’ll wait.
…
See, he never actually says what you believed him to say, does he.? What he did in fact say was, “I mean, survey after survey has shown Fox News Viewers to be the least informed in the country, even worse than those who watch no news at all.”
Better?
Now, in the future, do try to keep from posting responses as rebuttals that actually prove the point of the person(s) you are disputing… And, clearly, stop watching FOX while you type.
What survey are you talking about? survey after survey?
What survey’s
are you talking about?
I’m with you. without Fox we will not hear the truth on what is really going on. Obama has wanted them hushed for exposing all the lies and cover ups for a long time. But again the folks will speak like
they did in Nov. And if dish don’t do it and soon we will also drop
them. so lets all Bubble!! up and get more news like Fox.rlhand60
So, Ben, your post confirmed these comments aren’t being monitored for facts.
Your statements prove your wisdom. Wisdom is a gift from God. You should get to know him and you would not be afraid of the truth
There is a difference between being informed and IQ. I doubt those surveys included a complete IQ test to evaluate those people participating in a survey. I’ve taken many surveys from businesses who wanted feedback from their customers and those surveys don’t include an IQ test. You really should check your facts before you post.
Did you read Sharyl Atkisson’s book? Depending on only the main stream media is folly. One should look into both the main stream media and conservative media.
Clyde, yopu obviously voted for Obama and think it is guns that kill and not the people pulling the triggers. A true MSNBC fan aren’t you?
If Foxnews viewers are so dumb then you liberal idiots should love that watch Fox. If Foxnews is so terrible why do those on the left hate it? Could be they offer viewers the opportunity to form their own opinion after both sides are presented. Liberals are the more brain dead people in the country for some reason if someone speaks the truth they get all bent out of shape and show their true intelligence which is about zero.
right on!!!!!
Stealing from Sam Elliot “You must be a special kind of stupid (probably voted for the “Ass-Kisser-in Chief twice).
What programs do you recommend one watch? No doubt you have your favorites.
Clyde, go back to MSNBC and leave folks alone. NO SURVEY HAS SHOWN FOX VIEWERS TO BE THE LEAST INFORMED !! You have a right to your opinion, Clyde, but you do not have the right to make up so called facts. 12/28/14
for those who think Foxx viewers are rabid – I have to say speak of thyself. I felt up to date with my Foxx laying in a hospital bed for 4 months. Thank God with a TV in my room. I am not rabid, but until the blackout was up to date on the world.
And is that a bad thing not getting Fox news?
Informative screen name, Ben…
Damn Right!
I wish customers could choose to drop these channels permanently, and save a few bucks. Why is “a la carte” cable not here yet…
Yes, please!!! I see no reason I should have to pay for BET, MTV, VH1, OWN, Lifetime, CNN, MSNBC, and the myriad of sports channels I never watch.
We agree! All those channels we NEVER watch and thy remove channels that we do watch. If this isn’t rectified soon, we will switch to another carrier. Their intro deals will makes it much cheaper for the first two years.
I agree!!!
Boo Hoo! Now people won’t be able to get their fill of Fox propaganda. So sad.
must be a MSNBC fan!
As far as I’m concerned this outrage is a deal breaker. On Monday morning, I intend to close my account with Dish until Fox News is restored; and if it takes too long I will seek another provider. I urge others to do the same.
I just closed my DISH account this afternoon and went with Time Warner. The only channel I watched was Fox so why should I pay almost $70 per month for nothing. It took me over four hours for DISH to let me leave. They kept trying to offer me special deals if I would stay. No Way. I’m done with DISH.
I’m disgusted with Fox and Dish using the public just like the government is to reach their goals. As for me, I’m saying goodbye to Fox and Dish, So much for Freedom of Speech and Truth. What a joke both are misleading the public, it’s all about Financial Gain on both side. Good riddance.
i totally agree Charles. Obama must be thrilled and may be even behind the entire ordeal. I for one am switching to Direct asap. Money and power rules as always.
Hello Direct TV, If this is’t settled soon I and other friends will be switching from Dish.
Did North Korea threaten you Too!NO FOX, NO DISH, so sue me who cares.
well there is always the comedy channel for Faux, which is where they should be anyway.
If it’s a choice between our choosing FOX or Dish, then GOODBYE Dish!
Stop being so greedy Fox.
Leo, I agree with you. FOX should fire some people and reduce the salaries of the rest. It’s the new American Way. Take from the rich, take from the poor and give it to the bureaucrats!
Sony wimped out because other E-mails were about to come out that would show what a bunch of elitist they really are . They are just as prejudicial as anyone of this day and age in America but they pretend to be above it and us . They are the ” pigs in the farm house ” of George Orwells ‘1984’ .
EVERY CARRIER SHOULD CANCEL FOX NEWS!!!
I can guess who you voted for last Presidential election. If you don’t like fox news, turn the channel, cause I DO.
Another typical leftist (socialist, anarchist, communist; see AGITATOR, LIBERAL, RADICAL; Webster’s College Dictionary, Fourth Edition) trying to tell the rest of us what we can and can not enjoy. The intolerance of present-day democrats is a bridge too far for them to negotiate.
And every liberal should be deported. No, wait, that would be unconstitutional…
See what I mean? Progs are hysterical over the loss of control they had for years over what information they allowed to have. Maybe if they use the caps lock, people will return to only listening to the liberal stations. Worth a try, eh?
I am disappointed in Dish and its public relations and customer service: I pay for service, I am the customer, I expect more for my dollars. I will change vendors. Do I receive a customer discount for not receiving full channel access due to this breach in service?
MCA
This is why Dish demands a two year contract. Wish we could get out of the contract because they changed the channel lineup. Maybe a class action lawsuit against Dish is in order.
That is sucha good point. Is there any ACLU lawyers out there that will take this on probono? This would be a good cause, because next it will be MSNBC that will get axed for good and we know how the liberals love theat network.
I don’t think the ACLU are going to help. What we need are Consumer Protection Lawyers willing to sue pro bono and make a name for themselves by defeating Dish in court, and saving consumers from this abuse in the future. Dish expects us to pay to watch certain channels. and it is reasonable for us to expect Dish to fulfill its end of the contact to provide those channels. Dish is in breech of contact with us all.
Yes, they sure are! How do we get out of contract?
Where do i sign up?
I totally agree ! So what do we do next ?
One week deadline, then I move to Direct TV after many years with Dish. Sorry.
We’ll be canceling our dish acct as will many many others if they can’t work out there differences. ..
Enough is enough. I am sick of Dish and will now change back to cable. First Turner Network and now Fox.
I will drop Dish if Fox news is not put back on!
Will drop Dish in a heart beat
Dish sucks now will drop now