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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Fox News blacked out on Dish

From staff reports
Fox News and Fox Business Channel remain blacked out for Dish network subscribers as the two companies continue contract negotiations. Both channels went dark Saturday night, with Fox claiming Dish took their channels off the air around 11:50 p.m. Dish said Fox removed the channels. “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,” said Warren Schlichting, Dish senior vice president of programming in a statement. “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.” Dish has more than 14 million subscribers nationwide. “Fox News Channel did not disconnect Dish, rather, Dish prematurely ceased distribution of Fox News in an attempt to intimidate and sway our negotiations. It is unfortunate that the millions of Fox News viewers on Dish were used as pawns by their provider,” Tim Carry, executive vice president of distribution at Fox News Channel, said in a statement.