DISH, Gray Media End Carriage Dispute

DISH Network and Gray Media Group, Inc. have announced a new multi-year carriage agreement, bringing an end to a service disruption that began in late 2023. The resolution means that Gray-owned local television stations are immediately available again to DISH customers across the United States. This agreement restores access to critical local programming, including news, weather, and sports.

Resolution of Service Interruption

The new agreement effectively concludes a period where Gray's local stations were unavailable to millions of DISH subscribers. This outage had impacted viewers' access to local content, a key offering for many television households.

The terms of the multi-year deal were not publicly disclosed by either company. Both parties expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the return of valuable programming to affected communities.

This type of carriage dispute, while common in the industry, often leaves subscribers without essential local channels. The restoration of service allows DISH Network customers to resume watching their preferred Gray-owned stations.

"We are pleased to have reached a fair agreement that brings Gray’s valuable local programming back to DISH customers. We thank our customers for their patience and loyalty as we worked to achieve this positive outcome."

— Gary Schanman, EVP and Group President, DISH Video Services

Impact on Viewers and Programming

The return of Gray's stations ensures DISH customers can once again access a full suite of local content. This includes vital local news broadcasts, comprehensive weather updates, and regional sports coverage.

Beyond local reporting, the agreement also restores popular entertainment programming. These channels often carry network affiliates, providing access to national shows and events that were previously unavailable through DISH.

For Gray Media Group, the agreement re-establishes its presence on a major satellite television platform. This ensures its content reaches a broader audience base and maintains its advertising revenue streams from DISH subscribers.

The resolution highlights the ongoing complexities of carriage negotiations between content providers and distributors. Such agreements are fundamental to the television ecosystem, determining what content is available to subscribers.

The new multi-year agreement between DISH Network and Gray Media Group signals a return to stability for affected viewers and a continued partnership between the two companies. While specific financial details remain private, the immediate restoration of programming underscores the importance of local content to subscribers and the value it holds for both broadcasters and distributors. This positive outcome concludes a period of disruption, ensuring continued access to essential local and national programming for DISH customers.