Raycom stations are blacked out on DISH in 36 U.S. markets
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Hawaii’s DISH Network subscribers lost network-affiliated and local programming from KGMB-TV, KHNL-TV and KFVE-TV Wednesday night as the parent companies of the satellite television company and the TV stations failed to reach agreement on retransmission consent.
The crux of the dispute is how much Colorado-based DISH will have to pay Alabama-based Raycom Media for its programming.
Raycom stations are blacked out on DISH in 36 U.S. markets, including Hawaii.
In the isles’ case the programming includes national shows from CBS, NBC and MyNetworkTV, local newscasts and other shows.
In a statement, DISH said Raycom was seeking a "massive price increase" and that it offered to pay the same rates as do primary competitors for the same content, "but Raycom refuses to sign a contract."
On its corporate page, Raycom said DISH "has refused to enter into an agreement with us."
According to Nielsen data, direct broadcast satellite providers DISH Network and DirecTV split about 9 percent of the Hawaii television viewers who depend on a pay-TV service, while 85 percent of the isle audience subscribes to Oceanic Time Warner Cable.
Those who watch free, over-the-air TV number about 5 percent.
