WSLS, Dish reach deal to settle spat in 90 days
Media General Inc. and Dish have been at odds over retransmission consent fees, the money cable and satellite companies pay in order to carry stations.
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Saturday, June 29, 2013
The corporate owner of WSLS-TV (Channel 10) and Dish Network agreed to a 90-day extension of their current retransmission agreement, which will keep the NBC affiliate on air while the two sides negotiate a new contract.
Media General Inc. and Dish have been at odds over retransmission consent fees, the money cable and satellite companies pay in order to carry stations. The current agreement was set to expire Monday, but Friday’s deal pushes the deadline into fall.
Dish spokeswoman Danielle Johnson confirmed that an extension had been reached and added that her company "will continue to work on behalf of our customers to reach a fair deal with Media General."
The extension means that WSLS will be on air for about 70,000 Dish customers in the Roanoke-Lynchburg market during the July ratings period, when summertime viewership is measured.
“This extension ensures that viewers may continue to watch their local news and lifestyle programs as well as top-rated prime time programming as we continue to do everything we can to negotiate a fair, market-based agreement,” said Jim Conschafter, Media General’s vice president for broadcast markets. “We appreciate our viewers’ patience and feedback. We have the best interests of our viewers in mind as we work hard to reach a successful outcome during this period.”
The negotiations involve Media General stations in 17 markets.
1. 41-vehicle wreck ties up traffic Sunday on I-81 in Rockbridge County
2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day
3. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys
4. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping
5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football
6. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen
7. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust
8. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli
9. Man's drowning is 5th in Lynchburg area
10. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible
THE ROANOKE TIMES
