DISH Network Corp. has removed KOMO-TV and other television stations owned by Fisher Communications Inc. from its programming lineup as the two companies dispute over a contract extension.
The carriage agreement between the two companies expired Wednesday, leaving DISH satellite customers without Fisher’s programming. Stations unavailable to the customers are: KOMO and KUNS in Seattle; KIMA and KUNW in Yakima; KATU in Portland, Ore.; KVAL in Eugene, Ore.; KBCI in Boise, Idaho; KIDK in Idaho Falls, Idaho; and KBAK and KBFX in Bakersfield, Calif.
“We were unable to reach acceptable terms to ensure that DISH provides us fair compensation for the value they receive from broadcasting our stations,” Rob Dunlop, Fisher’s senior vice president of operations, said in a statement.
Fisher is demanding unreasonable contract terms and a rate increase of 82 percent, DISH Network, of Englewood, Colo., said.
“We need fair contracts and competitive pricing for our customers,” Eric Sahl, the company’s senior vice president of programming, said in a statement. “This is why we refuse Fisher Communications’ request for increased pricing and unreasonable terms.”
Ron Low, who handles media inquiries for Fisher, on Friday declined to say how many customers are affected by the dispute.
Fisher operates 13 full-power and eight low-power television stations, as well as eight radio stations, in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and California.
Meanwhile, the Seattle-based company filed a lawsuit against DISH in federal district court in Oregon earlier this week. Fisher claims that DISH failed to retransmit Fisher’s KUNP between July 2006 and April 2008. DISH also didn’t pay Fisher for carrying the station, Fisher said.
The lawsuit is without merit, DISH officials said in a statement.
“We are bewildered by their allegation that any money could be owed,” part of the statement said.
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
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