Nexstar Threatens Largest Local Station Blackout in TV history
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It appears that Nexstar is involved in a pissing match with Dish Network and it’s getting ugly.
Dish offered up a press release claiming that Nexstar Media Group, the largest local broadcast station owner in the nation, is threatening to black out DISH customers' access to 164 local channels in 120 markets across 42 states and the District of Columbia. The broadcast giant is trying to use its market power to demand unreasonable rate increases while intentionally using millions of Americans as pawns in their negotiations. This action by Nexstar would result in consumers being blacked out from the highest number of local broadcast stations in the nation's TV history.
Of course, this is exactly one of the reason that many worried when Nexstar bought up so many stations. They are now using their size to try and drive up the price and in the end will be costing you, the viewer more money each month.
Dish also took a swipe at Nexstar and their purchase of WGN America, which carries the failing cable newscast “News Nation.” In the release, Dish writes, “Nexstar is also forcing DISH to carry WGN America as part of this deal, a channel that has experienced declining viewership in recent years. Nexstar acquired this channel when it bought Tribune last year. Now, the broadcast owner is looking to DISH customers to pay back this investment. Nexstar is demanding a significant payment for this low-rated channel that airs syndicated reruns found on other DISH stations and features a news program that can be accessed for free online.”
Och!
