Hearst, Dish Trade Accusations in Retransmission Consent Renewal Impasse

Hearst and Dish Network are blaming each other for suspended retransmission consent renewal talks that resulted in a blackout. In a news release Friday, Dan Joerres, president-general manager of Hearst's WBAL-TV Baltimore, said Dish "has continued to insist on including material terms that are less favorable than our current agreement [and] is seeking the right to carry our stations at below market rates, which is neither fair nor reasonable." Hearst said WBAL and 29 other stations are no longer being carried on Dish. Dish, in a news release, said Hearst "has used the move to gain deal leverage as it seeks above-market rate increases nearly double the current DISH rate, and other unreasonable demands. Hearst has also refused DISH’s offer to match the rates paid by other pay-TV providers." The American Television Alliance said Hearst is responsible for the majority of carriage disruptions this year, with it also part of a AT&T-owned DirecTV disruption on New Year's Day (see 1701030046). It said Hearst is proof "there’s nothing to stop broadcasters from hitting consumers on the nose with more blackouts and higher fees." The group's partners include AT&T and Dish.