MERIDIAN (dpa-AFX) - Dish Network Corp. (DISH) on Friday responded to Tribune Broadcasting Co.'s (TRCO) rejection Thursday of a proposal to pursue an immediate, fair and binding solution to restore its blacked-out channels to DISH subscribers.
Dish stated that binding arbitration presents path to end Tribune's blackout immediately, and would ensure 'Fair Market Rates' for Tribune.
Tribune blacked out DISH customer access to 42 local channels in 33 markets early Sunday evening.
In a statement, Warren Schlichting, DISH executive vice president Programming, said, 'If Tribune is serious in its commitment to accept fair market rates, then there is no downside for them to immediately restore the Tribune channels on DISH while allowing a neutral third-party arbitrator to review DISH's agreements with other station groups, as well as the rates that Tribune receives from our pay-TV competitors and determine the fair market rates that Tribune desires on a basis that is binding upon DISH and Tribune.'
Among other reasons, DISH has suggested that the arbitration be modeled on the successful arbitration procedures in the Comcast/NBCU consent decree to ensure that there would not be an opportunity for Tribune or DISH to walk away from the decision of the arbitrator.
Schlichting added that Tribune's unwillingness to participate in binding arbitration is an indication that it actually is angling for rates that are above fair market.
In the meantime, DISH said it continues to fight for customers by distributing tens of thousands of free over-the-air antennas to help impacted consumers regain access to the Tribune local broadcast stations.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX