As of September 11, 2023, a retransmission consent dispute has resulted in a significant service interruption for DISH and Sling customers across the United States. Subscribers have lost access to 37 local broadcast stations operated by Hearst Television. These stations predominantly serve as affiliates for major networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, The CW, and MyNetworkTV. Negotiations between the involved parties are currently underway, aiming to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

The Broader Implications

This service blackout is not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of disruptions in the broadcasting landscape. Recent developments also include the unavailability of Imagicomm Communications stations on Comcast systems. The cumulative impact of these disruptions is nontrivial, affecting an estimated 12.5 million U.S. households. The fallout is particularly acute for sports enthusiasts in key metropolitan areas such as Pittsburgh, Boston, and West Palm Beach, Florida. Fans of college and professional football stand to miss pivotal matchups, including games featuring Florida State, Boston College, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Alabama, USF, and the Cleveland Browns. Affected markets include:

• Baltimore, MD
• Boston, MA
• Cincinnati, OH
• Fort Myers-Naples, FL
• Louisville, KY
• Milwaukee, WI
• Monterey-Salinas, CA
• Omaha, NE
• Orlando-Daytona, FL
• Pittsburgh, PA
• Portland-Auburn, ME
• West Palm Beach-Ft Pierce, FL

Competitor DIRECTV is extending incentives to attract new customers. Although DIRECTV tends to be more expensive than Sling TV at face value, its pricing is more closely aligned with that of DISH. The key distinction lies in their pricing models: DISH offers lower rates during the first year, followed by a significant increase in the second year. In contrast, DIRECTV provides price stability by locking in rates for the entire two-year contract period.

DIRECTV Sports Pack 3-Month Free Trial: New subscribers to internet-streamed TV and satellite TV service at the Choice Plan level or above can get free access to the DIRECTV Sports Pack for the first three months. You must use the Gemini set-top box. If you opt in for the free Sports Pack offer, be sure to set an alert for 89 days later to either cancel the Sports Pack by the end of that day, or, start paying an additional $14.99 per month as of your fourth month.

Premium Channels: The first three months of subscription to HBO, STARZ, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, and EPIX are included at no additional cost when customers sign up for either DIRECTV SATELLITE or DIRECTV STREAM.

Fox Nation Subscription: Internet-based DIRECTV subscribers will receive two months of Fox Nation at no extra charge. Satellite-based customers subscribing to Fox Nation for the first time will be charged a nominal $.99 for the first three months, transitioning to the standard rate of $5.99/month thereafter.

Diverse Sports Packages: DIRECTV also offers an array of specialized sports packages, including NHL Center Ice and NBA League Pass, further enhancing its value proposition.