By Rodney Ho
October 22, 2014
Atlanta-based Turner Broadcasting has had a tough few weeks, with layoffs and cutbacks. Now several of its networks are off Dish Network, covering 14 million households. There is a dispute over how much Dish pays Turner for airing its programming, including digital distribution rights, according to a CNN Money story.
The channels affected: CNN, HLN, CNN en Espanol, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, truTV, TCM and Boomerang. Turner's most popular networks TNT and TBS are not affected because they are part of a separate deal. (That deal expires Dec. 5. Dish might drop them, too. Details here.)
This is only the second time CNN has been blacked out but the other one was a very minor dispute last year involved a half million households with a small carrier. This is by far the biggest disruption for the news network.
"It's unfortunate that Dish is once again operating in a disruptive manner that takes away networks and programming from their customers," Turner said in a statement. "We are hopeful our counterparts will return to the negotiating table, and we'll get a deal completed."
Dish, in a separate statement, said its offer "reflects an appropriate value for our customers."
Turner has been working to see higher per-subscriber fees where it can but some of its networks have not seen much growth of late to justify higher rates. Turner has a website savemyshows.com to encourage people to complain to Dish.
Earlier this year, the Weather Channel aggressively went after DirecTV for blacking it out but ultimately the two sides came to a deal after three months. The Weather Channel actually apologized for its approach and promised fewer reality shows in its lineup.
About the Author
