Sinclair Broadcast Group television stations in 36 markets went dark as talks reached an impasse with Dish Network.
At issue is a new carriage agreement.
The impasse means 153 local TV stations in 79 markets owned and operated by Sinclair have been pulled from the Dish lineup.
Both companies have been trying to finalize a deal after they extended their retransmission agreement.
Ten days ago, the companies agreed to a short-term extension in their carriage renewal talks, but now Dish officials have called on the FCC to intervene. The action occurs has the commission has an open rulemaking to review what exactly is “good faith” retrains negotiations between television stations and pay TV companies.
Dish says the channel blackout is the largest in the history of carriage disputes. The satcaster Tweeted it offered Sinclair an opportunity to extend the talks again, but was rejected. Sinclair has not commented publicly.
