Michigan Media

Heritage Broadcasting and Dish Network have reached a multi-year retransmission agreement. WWTV and WFQX have returned to Dish Network’s channel lineup in Northern Michigan.

Update (December 20, 2011): Heritage Broadcasting and Dish Network reach retransmission agreement

WWTV and WFQX in Northern Michigan have been removed from Dish Network because of a dispute over retransmission fees.

A retransmission-consent dispute has resulted in a pair of Heritage Broadcasting Group stations in Traverse, Mich. going dark for Dish Network subscribers.

The signals for WWTV, the CBS affiliate, and WFXQ, the Fox affiliate, were disconnected on Dec. 15 at 1:01 a.m., upon the expiration of the parties’ contract.

Per usual, an increase in compensation is at the heart of the dispute.

Dish, on its www.BefairHeritage.com website, indicates that Heritage is demanding an outrageous “take it or leave it” fee increase of more than 500% and has completely walked away from the negotiating table. We are shocked at Heritage’s unprofessional behavior and its complete lack of concern for its viewers.

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