ABC back on Dish

[moyer777]

Finally!  No more watching Lost on my computer!

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2009/06/08/daily52.html

Fisher Communications said Thursday it reached an agreement with DISH Network that ends months of litigation that prevented DISH customers from receiving KATU TV programming.

DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and Fisher Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSCI) said the multi-year agreement provides for the distribution of a Fisher station in Portland and six other markets on DISH Network.

Under the deal, DISH customers can now watch ABC network programming on KATU after a six-month hiatus. Terms of the deal were not released. Fisher said that as part of the agreement both parties agreed to end litigation.

The previous agreement between DISH and Fisher that allowed DISH subscribers to get ABC programs and sports events from KATU expired Dec. 17. After negotiations broke down over how much DISH should pay Fisher for programming, DISH dumped Fisher stations in Portland, Seattle and five other media markets.

"We recognize the important role that we play in the community through our news and programming and we are pleased to renew our partnership with DISH Network, which will allow us to continue serving our local viewers and customers," said Colleen B. Brown, Fisher's president and CEO. "We truly appreciate the patience of our loyal viewers and business partners and regret any inconvenience they may have encountered as we worked to put this new agreement in place."

The Fisher stations that returned to DISH Network are: KOMO and KUNS in Seattle; KATU and KUNP in Portland; KIMA in Yakima; KVAL in Eugene; KBCI in Boise, Idaho; KIDK in Idaho Falls, Idaho; and KBAK and KBFX in Bakersfield, Calif

[Geekyfanboy]

That's great news.. I wonder how many customers they lost because of this.. I know I would  have dropped them in a heart beat if they didn't have one of the major networks.

[Rico]

Did you drop them Rick during that down time?

[moyer777]

nope, I really like Dish, two DVR's and such... but Comcast is looking very tempting now.....

[jedijeff]

I am glad that this got sorted out and you will be able to watch the final season of LOST on your TV, and not on your PC the next day.

[alanp]

I never got why local broadcasting stations think they should be paid be on cable/satellite.  They make money by connecting eyeballs with advertisers.  And access to a larger audience is only in their favor.  Playing hardball and holding out for a big payday only hurts themselves and their viewers.