The NFL said this is the first time the service has ever been taken off the air. NFL Network may have had trouble in getting picked up with the major providers, but never experienced a blackout.
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Dish Network provides satellite TV programming to about 14 million subscribers, including 290,000 in the Chicago area, according to media research firm SNL Kagan. We renewed this offer again today to enable Dish subscribers in our markets to see tonight’s Game 6 of the National Basketball Association finals and this weekend’s U.S. Open Golf Tournament.
The move follows Dish’s decision to drop Tribune Media stations this past Sunday.
Dish Network today invited Tribune Broadcasting Co.to enter into binding, baseball-style arbitration modeled on the successful arbitration procedures from the Comcast/NBCU merger to determine the fair market value of their channels.
The Red Sox lose to the Orioles, Dish drops NFL RedZone, and U.S. Mens Soccer defeats Ecuador in Copa America.
Tribune also is seeking more clearance for WGN America, the former superstation that has been converted into a full-fledged cable network with original programming – minus Cubs baseball.
Dish has in the past railed against the rising costs of sports channels.
Indeed, unrealistic financial expectations have contributed to slower-than-expected proliferation of NFLN.
There’s always the possibility that Dish and the NFL can resolve their differences quickly and bring NFL Network back sooner than later, but as we look at previous carrier disputes, this will likely go to the last minute for an agreement to be hashed out.
Dish Network has dropped NFL Network and NFL RedZone as of this evening at 7 PM ET, the first time it has been dropped by a service provider, the NFL-owned net says.
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To avoid missing key NFL action, DISH subscribers should find a provider that carries NFL Network and NFL RedZone now – and the good news is there are plenty of choices. Dish’s satellite rival, DirecTV has the NFL’s out of market game package, Sunday Ticket, on an exclusive basis.
