DISH Faces Retrans Battle in the West

[evd]

DISH Network is facing another retransmission consent dispute, this time with Fisher Communications, owner of TV stations across the West.

The contract between the two sides expired late Wednesday, forcing DISH to take the Fisher stations off of its local TV lineups. Stations covered in the skirmish are in Bakersfield, Calif.; Boise, Idaho; Eugene, Ore.; Idaho Falls, Idaho; Portland, Ore.; Seattle, Wash.; and Yakima, Wash.

In a statement on the Web site of one of its TV stations, Fisher told viewers it believes the DBS company "should be willing to pay a small portion of the fees you pay to DISH for the program content we provide to you."

Also, Fisher called its offer to DISH "reasonable" given the popularity of its programming. "It is considerably less than the amount paid by DISH for less popular satellite program networks," the broadcaster's statement said.

In addition, Fisher said it has filed a $1 million breach of contract lawsuit over DISH's alleged failure to comply with the terms of the prior carriage agreement. The lawsuit was filed in federal district court in Oregon, the company said.

In response, DISH said Fisher is "demanding unreasonable contract terms and an excessive programming rate increase of 82 percent for continued carriage." The company added, "To protect customers from unreasonable rate increases and to ensure they pay only a fair amount every month, DISH Network draws the line at such excess and challenges strong-arm tactics."

Last week, DISH was forced to remove stations owned by Young Broadcasting due to a dispute with the broadcaster. Three days later, DISH scored a deal with Young for carriage of its stations. DISH also faces a retransmission consent battle with ComCorp.

[Cougar830]

They shure get into alot of contract dispites.