Mission Broadcasing TV Stations Denied by Dish

Dish Subscribers in 21 Markets Left in the Dark as NFL Season Begins

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Sep 12, 2020, 12:03 ET

WICHITA FALLS, Texas, Sept. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mission Broadcasting television stations in 21 markets across the United States tonight were forced off Dish Network's satellite distribution system at 7 p.m. ET, when the contract between Mission and Dish expired. Millions of Dish subscribers have been left in the dark just as the National Football League is beginning its regular season this weekend. Dish subscribers also have lost their access to the NBA and NHL playoffs, college football, and the local news, weather and traffic offered by these local stations.

"This is, sadly, typical behavior for Dish—the company constantly puts its subscribers in the middle, denying them programming they've already paid for rather than negotiate in good faith," said Dennis Thatcher, Mission Broadcasting's President. "All we are asking for is the same fair agreement we have come to with each of our other cable, satellite and teleco providers. Mission has a long track record of negotiating fairly and avoiding service interruptions in our markets. That's simply not the case with Dish. We don't want any of our viewers in our local markets to miss these the start of the NFL season or the basketball and hockey playoffs. But, once again, Dish has decided to take advantage of its subscribers."

About Mission Broadcasting, Inc
Mission Broadcasting is privately held and owns 24 television properties (22 full-power and 2 low-power stations) in 21 U.S. DMAs. Mission's majority shareholder is Nancie J. Smith; Nancie is the leading female owner of broadcast television stations in the U.S. Mission portfolio includes ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, The CW, MyNetworkTV affiliates in Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Vermont.