Another retransmission consent-fight: Dish Network v. Media General [Telecom]

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| Dish Network asks FCC to intervene in Media General blackout | By Steve Donohue, FierceCable, October 18, 2013 | | ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, DISH Network L.L.C. | filed a complaint against Media General, requesting that the | Federal Communications Commission immediately require Media | General to negotiate in good faith to resolve a blackout that | began Oct. 1. | | In the Complaint, DISH explains how Media General has breached | its statutory duty to negotiate in good faith: "Media | General's conduct violates the Commission's rules requiring | good faith negotiation for retransmission consent rights, | because, among other things, Media General failed to respond | for 11 days to DISH's last pre-blackout offer." | | Media General blocked programming from DISH customers in 17 | markets after a retransmission contract expired. | | "DISH customers and Media General viewers were without their | shows and events for 11 days before Media General would even | contact us," said Dave Shull, DISH executive vice president. | "We reacted with a counter offer within hours and Media | General has yet to respond. DISH is asking the FCC to act | expeditiously to address Media General's bad faith, push them | back to the negotiating table and submit to mediation to get | programming back to consumers."

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Representative Eshoo's CHOICE Act addresses this problem, and it seems to be gathering support. Maybe there's a chance that it will actually make it through Congress

Neal McLain