This is something that would make a great movie or documentary.

DISH Network is the satellite provider of 2020, and not in a good way. Rockford-area subscribers are not missing out on not only NFL Network and WGN America, but also live prime-time news and other highly rated programs. Why? Because of what Nextar Media Group, Inc. insinuates as DISH Network as being difficult to work with.

DISH has refused our fair offer and is making negotiations very difficult.

This battle has been on-going for some time, with two Rockford television stations posting updates on their website mystateline.com beginning in July of this year. The ultimate ending to this saga (as of this article) results in a lack of local programming on DISH. In fact, as of 7 pm on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, Rockford's WTVO and FOX(39) have been pulled from DISH Network programming. This contract dispute not only affects Rockford's ABC and FOX affiliates, but also CBS, NBC, CW, and MyNet channels across the country.

Following DISH’s actions, DISH subscribers in 115 Nexstar markets from Los Angeles to Charlotte have lost access to thousands of hours of vitally important local news, just as the country prepares for an explosion in new coronavirus cases and a new President prepares to take office.

Nexstar, who owns WTVO and FOX in Rockford hopes an agreement can be reached to not only bring back the Stateline's favorite network programming but also local programming and critical emergency updates."

At the conclusion of MyStateline.com's note to viewers, they encourage the community affected by DISH Network’s blackout to contact DISH Network directly by phone at (800) 333-3474.


JB Love is ½ of  Q98.5's Lil Zim & JB In The Morning, weekday mornings from 5:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow him on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook.

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