Dish Network, the US direct-broadcast satellite service provider, has dropped the Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network after failing to negotiate a new distribution contract.
Dish Network customers are currently unable to view these channels as they have been blacked out.
This is the second time this month that Dish has dropped a big network. It had a similar problem negotiating a new contract with CBS and its network programming was cut for 12 hours.
The service provider has replaced Fox News with “The Blaze”, while Fox Business Network has been replaced by CNBC.
Fox is telling people to switch providers if they want to view its content.
“Fox blacked out two of its news channels, using them as leverage to triple rates on sports and entertainment channels that are not in this contract.” according to Warren Schlichting, Dish senior vice president of programming.
Network programmers are not happy with sticking to the same rates, and the increase in contract prices has affected a number of different cable providers over the past year.
Fox has not pulled its entertainment or sports channels yet, but if it does it could have a terrible consequence for Dish.
Tim Carry, the executive vice president of distribution, said:
“It is disappointing that, after nearly two decades without a blackout, Fox News Channel has been blocked by Dish Network. We will continue to work around the clock to reach an agreement with Dish, as we have done with every other pay-TV provider for 18 years.”
Dish has over 12 million customers, and losing Fox News and the Fox Business Network could have a negative impact on its expansion plan and ability to keep current customers happy.