DISH NETWORK STOPS AIRING FOX NEWS
By
NWV Senior Political News Writer, Jim Kouri
Posted 1:00 AM Eastern
December 23, 2014
© 2014
NewsWithViews.com
Political Agenda Suspected
The phenomenally rated Fox News Channel and its equally successful sister cable network, Fox Business Channel, ceased being aired by the satellite television giant Dish Network in most cities and states across the country on Saturday night. The mainstream media outlets are telling Americans that the reason for the dispute is money, but many -- especially conservatives -- believe it has more to do with canceling a news network that caters to conservatives, libertarians and independents.
Dish put out a press statement that claims right-wing media tycoon Rubert Murdoch, who owns both cable channels, and Dish executives have failed to agree on a new contract. Dish and Fox have been in negotiations since November with the satellite service claiming that Fox is asking for too much money to allow Dish Network to run both of Murdoch's ratings-getters.
In more than a few news stories, Dish executives have accused Fox News of trying to increase fees for its sports and entertainment channels during the contract’s negotiation. The company accused Fox of pulling out of the deal for its two news channels, if Dish doesn't increase use of the multiple Fox sports channels that include separate TV stations for soccer, basketball and other popular sports.
Many Dish Network customers, who number over 14-million subscribers, have been angry and even posted complaints about losing access to Fox News on the Dish Network's customer blog. For example, one customer wrote: “It is disappointing that, after nearly two decades without a blackout, Fox News Channel has been blocked by Dish. This is the third time in as many months that Dish customers have suffered through a blackout due to Dish’s intransigence. Dish’s record speaks for itself, and makes its rhetoric about ‘reasonable’ agreements ring hollow.”
Fox News Channel, the most-watched cable news network in the United States, has been urging its viewers to cancel their DISH subscriptions after its signals stopped being distributed on the satellite-TV provider’s system in the fee dispute.
The network, Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox, Inc., stopped airing in the homes 14 million Dish subscribers as of Dec. 21. The Fox Business Network also went dark after the two companies failed to negotiate new contract terms. As a result conservative activists have assisted Fox News by creating a website, keepfoxnews.com, which helps people find services that provide the Fox channels.
When NewsWithViews.com telephoned Dish Network (303) 723-1000 which is based in Englewood, Colorado, this reporter spoke with the Corporate Office and requested information on why their company was playing hardball with Fox but had no problem meeting the demands of cable channels such as MSNBC and CNN, who combined don't have nearly as many viewers as Fox.
This reporter was directed to Dish Network's press statement by Warren Schlichting, who's the company's senior vice president. He said in the 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 regrets the effect of the disruption on consumers and is committed to reaching an agreement."
According to media accounts, the Fox News Channel alone garners an average audience of 1.86 million viewers in prime time so far this television season, according to Nielsen data. While many believe that Fox isn't perfect, it still provides airtime for true conservatives and libertarians that one doesn't see on other news channels and shows.
"Before Fox News went off the air they were advertising that Dish Network will pull the plug on Fox any day now. Dish Network is advertising that Fox pulled the plug. I don't know who to believe, but one thing is certain, no matter who's at fault, unless this is resolved fairly quick, Dish Network will be the ultimate looser, because conservatives and Fox viewers will blame Dish Network," said NWV editor Paul Walter
Many of Dish's customers also believe it's more political than financial.
For example, one of thousands of complaining subscribers, Jackie Knox, wrote that she was unhappy over losing Fox News Channel: "Went on Facebook today boy there is a lot of unhappy Dish customers. I have been with you for years. I started watching Fox and Friends from their very first day and have not missed hardly any sense then. Why in the world would you drop them. ????? I’m hoping to stay with you guys but need my news fix. Hope you read this post but most likely not."
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And subscriber George Zink pulled no punches: "[H]aving been a customer of [sic] dish threw several years, I want you to know this morning as I turned on my TV. The only news channel that I watch. ( Fox N ews) was no more. So after going through a person in china, I have decided to shutoff my dish service. [A]s of December 24, I will no longer buy your services. At 109.plus dollars per month. your service is NOT Worth IT , SO THANK YOU DISH NETWORK FOR BOWING DOWN TO KING OBAMA. Your business is going downhill from now on. I only PRAY that more patriots will SHUTOFF DISH. And as a side note. Being a combat wounded Vietnam vet. The red communist of china armed our enemies. Why are dish [workers] even in communist china? If I had known that the communists were reading my personnel info. Your dish network would not have gotten 1 cent of my money."
To contact Dish Network: (303) 723-1000 or e-mail news@dish.com.
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