News Releases

Jul 12, 2019
DISH Network May Drop Meredith-Owned Stations

DES MOINES, IA, July 12, 2019 -- Today Meredith Corporation-owned stations began notifying its viewers that DISH Network may drop the stations from its lineup on July 15, 2019, at 7 p.m. EDT.  By law, cable and satellite companies must negotiate in good faith with television stations before dropping the TV stations’ signals.  If DISH fails to reach an agreement, these Meredith-owned stations’ programming, including local news and many popular CBS, FOX, ABC and NBC programs will not be available on DISH systems as of July 15, 2019, at 7 p.m. EDT.  Meredith-owned stations will still be available over-the-air and from all other cable, satellite, and OTT providers serving their respective markets.   

“Meredith has been trying for months to get DISH Network to negotiate seriously. Reaching a deal and preventing a blackout is our top priority," said Patrick McCreery, President, Meredith Local Media Group. "We know the vital local news, emergency information, and top-rated sports and entertainment programming we provide are important to DISH’s customers, and we hope DISH will make it a priority to reach a deal too. Meredith stands ready, willing and able to reach a fair deal with DISH.  Meredith has successfully completed hundreds of carriage agreements, and there is still time for DISH to reach a deal too.”

The following stations will be affected by DISH Network’s potential blackout:

  • Atlanta CBS affiliate WGCL, DMA Rank – 10
  • Phoenix CBS affiliate KPHO and KTVK (IND), DMA Rank – 12
  • St. Louis CBS affiliate KMOV, DMA Rank – 21
  • Portland FOX affiliates KPTV and KPDX (MYN), DMA Rank – 22
  • Nashville NBC affiliate WSMV, DMA Rank – 27
  • Kansas City CBS affiliate KCTV and KSMO (IND), DMA Rank – 32
  • Hartford-New Haven CBS affiliate WFSB, DMA Rank – 33
  • Greenville-Spartanburg FOX affiliate WHNS, DMA Rank – 38
  • Las Vegas FOX affiliate KVVU, DMA Rank – 39
  • Mobile-Pensacola FOX affiliate WALA, DMA – 58
  • Flint-Saginaw CBS affiliate WNEM, DMA Rank – 65
  • Springfield-Holyoke CBS affiliate WSHM, FOX affiliate WGGB-DT and ABC affiliate WGGB, DMA Rank – 108

Meredith Corporation has been committed to service journalism for more than 115 years. Today, Meredith uses multiple distribution platforms – including broadcast television, print and digital – to provide consumers with content they desire and to deliver the messages of its advertising partners.

Meredith's Local Media Group includes 17 television stations reaching 11 percent of U.S. households. Meredith's portfolio is concentrated in large, fast-growing markets, with seven stations in the nation's Top 25 and 13 in Top 50 markets. Meredith's stations produce approximately 700 hours of local news and entertainment content each week and operate leading local digital destinations.

For further information: Kara Kelly, 515.284.3125; kara.kelly@meredith.com