If you are a DISH Network customer you are experiencing a blackout of Tribune Broadcasting programming including Q13 in Seattle.
This all stems from a contract dispute between the two companies. Five million customers are affected by the contract impasse.
Many of you are upset because you can’t watch Seahawks games. That is a bummer. I called DISH and this is what the company said are your options.
- DISH it will work with customers on a case by case basis.
- In some circumstances it will provide an over the air antenna for free so you can still get the game.
- Ask DISH to pause your account. But if you do that you will lose any promotional pricing and your contract will be lengthened for the amount of time you are paused.
If you cancel DISH before your contract ends, you may be forced to pay an early termination fee I’ve been told it’s more than $400.
If you do cancel, try to have that rate prorated at 25 dollars a month for the length of your deal. It may not work, but it’s worth trying.
Since this is a contract dispute, I’ve posted statements from both Tribune and DISH.
DISH Network TV Statement:
“I’m a football fan, too, and we’re very motivated to reach a deal that brings back Fox in Seattle. For our part, we’re doing everything in our power to bring creative solutions to the table and we’re hopeful that Tribune Broadcasting will end the blackout as soon as possible. In the meantime, we’ll continue to help our customers find alternatives for watching their shows and events, whether it’s online, on other DISH channels or with an over-the-air antenna.” – Warren Schlichting, DISH Executive Vice President of Programming
Tribune Broadcasting Statement:
We understand that Seahawk fans are frustrated and angry, and we don’t blame them for feeling this way. The best way for Dish to demonstrate it is doing everything it can for its subscribers is for the company to accept the very reasonable offer now on the table. Going dark is a negotiating tactic for Dish, and demonstrates the company’s clear disregard for the best interests of their customers. Dish has been part of 18 blackouts in the last three years, including this one. We achieved agreements with EVERY ONE of our other distributors during that same timeframe. I wish we could be more optimistic, but it may be time for Dish subscribers in the Seattle area and elsewhere to consider switching satellite providers. When it comes to Dish, that is the best way of ensuring the long-term reliability of our programming, including Seahawk football. We have listed a variety of alternative providers at http://www.dumpdish.com/kcpq. – Gary Weitman, SVP/Corporate Relations
Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images
