UPDATE 9/27/18

We write to provide you an update regarding our impasse with DISH.  First, we have received calls and emails of support from many of you regarding the impasse we are experiencing with DISH.  That support means a great deal to all of us at KRGV.

We had hoped to have some progress to report to you on this impasse, but unfortunately, DISH has not changed its position since our last update.  DISH continues to insist on new, unreasonable material terms and conditions that are less favorable than our current agreement while seeking to pay fees that are substantially below market rates.  

As a DISH customer, we know you are frustrated with this situation.  Unfortunately, when we are involved in a business situation like this, it impacts you, and that part is very difficult for us because that is the last thing we want to have happen.  We want our programming to be there for you, and right now, it’s not.  For that, we apologize.

We have fundamental, philosophical disagreements with DISH.  

We are doubtful that our station will be returned to the DISH service any time soon.

That means that, on DISH, you will not be able to watch our local news, weather and sports programming, along with popular ABC programs.

However, KRGV and its programming continue to be available over the air, along with our 5.2 Somos el Valle and 5.3 MeTV.  KRGV is also available on DIRECTV, Spectrum, AT&T U-verse, YouTube TV and other multi-channel video programming services in the area. 

KRGV is and has been owned since 1964 by a small family-owned company.  Our station cannot be bullied into a bad business decision just because DISH, a multi-billion-dollar company, is pressuring us to do so.  It would be wrong for our station, and it would be wrong for our viewers, as it would impact our ability to provide the local news and sports, severe weather coverage, and all our network shows that you have come to expect from our station.  The fees we receive from our distributors help us pay for these programming costs and the salaries we pay our employees that live right here in our community.

Please know that we would end this impasse today if DISH would get reasonable with its demands, but so far, they have failed to do so, and as a result, this impasse could continue for some time.

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DISH Network and KRGV have reached an impasse in negotiating a renewal of the agreement that provides for carriage of the station on DISH Network’s satellite system. As a result, KRGV is no longer being carried by DISH as of 4:00 p.m. on September 7, 2018.

We had granted DISH multiple extensions in the hopes of concluding a new deal with DISH, but little progress was made.

Every three years, we negotiate with multichannel video programming distributors to carry our broadcast signal. These include video providers such as DIRECTV, Spectrum, AT&T U-verse and YouTube TV.  We have negotiated long-term agreements with each of these entities. Those providers recognize the value of KRGV’s award-winning local news and the highly-rated programming offered by ABC, such as Good Morning America, Grey’s Anatomy, The Good Doctor, Modern Family, and The Bachelorette. Additionally, KRGV is the Rio Grande Valley's most trusted station – letting you know of dangerous weather conditions, road closures, school and business closures, and more.

While we had hoped to conclude a new agreement without disruption, DISH has continued to undervalue our station, including the important role we perform during major news and weather events. Given DISH’s unreasonable positions, we are not hopeful this impasse will be resolved quickly.

We will continue to negotiate with DISH. However, this is a “David vs. Goliath” undertaking. Our television station has been owned by the same family since 1964. You know us. We employ dozens of your friends and neighbors in our community. We go to the same churches and schools.  In contrast, DISH is a multi-billion-dollar nationwide company that reported revenue of nearly $3.5 billion in just the second quarter of 2018 alone. DISH has no local presence. They can’t, or won’t, see the true value our station brings to you and the people who live in this area.

Despite what DISH says, we have not “blacked out” our station. KRGV is available over the air via an antenna. In addition, KRGV remains available on DIRECTV, Spectrum, AT&T U-verse and YouTube TV.

To contact DISH Network to voice your concerns, you can call DISH at 800-333-3474.

If you wish to learn more about local television and what can be done to help, please visit www.tvfreedom.org.

Thank you for your support.

FAQs

What is this all about?

A federal law first enacted in 1992 allows television stations to negotiate the terms of carriage, including compensation, from multichannel video programming distributors such as DISH Network. KRGV and DISH were in the process of negotiating a renewal of the agreement that grants DISH the right to carry the station. That agreement expired earlier this year, and KRGV had offered DISH multiple extensions to attempt to complete a new deal. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to move forward with DISH, little progress was made.

Why can't you reach an agreement?

DISH has refused to negotiate appropriate market value retransmission compensation for KRGV. DISH believes that it should pay far less than every other video provider for our highly rated and award-winning news, weather coverage, and ABC network programming such as Good Morning America, Grey’s Anatomy, The Good Doctor, Modern Family, and The Bachelorette.

Why should DISH have to pay to carry television stations that are available for free over the air?

KRGV is available over the air for free to our viewers, but our signal is not free to subscriber-based services such as DISH Network that repackage our signals and sell them to their subscribers at a profit. In fact, the law requires DISH Network to obtain a retransmission consent agreement to carry our station and to negotiate in good faith with us in exchange for granting our consent.

Are these disputes common with DISH?

Unfortunately, yes. Over the past several years, DISH has had disputes with hundreds of local television stations.  Even right now, DISH is in multiple disputes, including with Univision nationally and with other local stations in other areas, many of which are small, family-owned broadcasters like ourselves.  While the length of these disputes has varied, DISH has had some disputes that have lasted for months.  The chairman of the board of DISH has said that he believes DISH’s dispute with Univision may be permanent.

How can I find your station?

KRGV continues to be available over the air with an antenna and is also available on all other multichannel video programming distributors in the area, including DIRECTV, Spectrum, AT&T U-verse and YouTube TV.

What can I do to help get KRGV back on DISH?

The best thing you can do is to let DISH Network know how much you value KRGV and that they need to keep local channels like KRGV on their system to retain you as a customer. DISH Network can be reached at (800) 333-3474.

Can I contact KRGV?

Yes, of course. We encourage our viewers to give us input and allow us to answer your questions. Our offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, except on holidays. If we are not here, leave a message and we will call you back. Our office number is 956-968-5555.  We look forward to talking with any DISH subscriber one-on-one and sharing our side of the story.