LIN TV, Dish Network Reach Retransmission-Consent Deal

By John Eggerton
( Broadcasting & Cable )
published

LIN TV struck a retransmission-consent deal with Dish Network for both standard-definition and HD signals from LIN TV's stations in 17 markets.

The deal includes teaming up on a digital-TV-education campaign to inform viewers about DTV-to-analog converter boxes. Dish is marketing a $39.99 box that will allow the $40 government-subsidy coupons to underwrite the entire cost of the box.

The two companies will also team up to encourage viewers to sign up for Dish service "if LIN TV's local-station signal is remaoved from a cable system." That move could give LIN more leverage in retransmission-consent negotiations with cable operators in its markets.

John Eggerton
John Eggerton

Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.