Dish drops NFL channels after deal expires
It's the latest in network-related disputes for the TV provider.
Tribune stations went dark on Dish Network earlier this week, making it difficult for some customers to watch the NBA and NHL championship matchups. The TV provider is dealing with another sports-related dispute too, and this time it's with the NFL. Dish subscribers won't be privy to the league-owned NFL Network and NFL RedZone for the time being as contract negotiations stalled before the previous deal expired last night. The NFL pointed out that this is the first time a television provider has blacked out its channels and set up a website to let eager football fans in on other options for watching its content.
It will be interesting to see if the NFL pushing fans to other cable and satellite operators gets a deal done. As the league points out, the football faithful stand to miss out on training camp and preseason coverage in the immediate future, with the full regular season on the line as well. Dish and the NFL have worked out agreements in the past, but only time will tell if they can come to terms this time around.
"As the only network 100% dedicated to coverage of America's most popular sports league, NFL Network is committed to serving the millions of NFL fans by reaching fair distribution agreements with the pay-TV industry," the league said in a statement.
"Our contract with NFL Network has expired," Dish explained in a statement to Engadget. "We remain open to a fair offer that allows us to carry this content at an appropriate value to our customers."
