DISH Network subscribers across the country are rejoicing in the fact that DISH and FOX have finally resolved their dispute. This dispute culminated in a full blackout of FOX channels (including sports networks) on all DISH networks starting on September 26.
“We are pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with Dish and Sling, and they are immediately restoring their subscribers’ access to the Fox networks and television stations,” Fox said in a statement. ” We are grateful to our viewers for their patience during this disruption.” In a statement, Dish added: “We appreciate our customers’ patience as we worked to reach a long-term agreement that restores the Fox networks and local broadcast stations.”
It’s good to see such a high-profile blackout come to a resolution so quickly, though it did get heated during the short time the dispute was ongoing. In fact, this dispute got so intense that the National Football League (NFL) itself stepped in.
FOX’s “Thursday Night Football” broadcast is usually simulcast on the NFL Network, but during the dispute the NFL declined to have its broadcast available to Sling or DISH in an effort to protect Fox’s rather expensive Thursday telecast.
The truth is that this blackout was just the latest in a long line of disputes between programmers and distributors. These disputes accentuate the importance of content contracts for traditional carriers in an era that is dominated by disruptive streaming services.
Luckily, this story has a happy ending. DISH customers once again have access to FOX channels and can enjoy whatever sporting events they were frustrated to miss out on during the blackout.
Sources:
Fox, Dish Resolve Contract Dispute After Football Blackout
