Earlier this week, Apollo Global Management blacked out local channels in 10 markets for DISH customers. The blackout was the end result of negotiations between DISH and Cox, before Apollo acquired the stations.
Today, the American Television Alliance (ATVA) responded to Apollo’s blackout with the following statement.
“It is disappointing to hear that Apollo Global Management, an international private equity firm, is prioritizing greed over providing consumers with access to important local news and content,” stated Jessica Kendust, ATVA spokesperson. “Now more than ever, customers need access to local programming to stay informed and ensure their families’ health and well-being. ATVA had hoped that a global pandemic might make broadcasters think twice about weaponizing their content during negotiations. Unfortunately, we were wrong.”
The blackout will affect the following local stations:
- WSB-TV Channel 2 (ABC, Atlanta, GA)
- WFXT-TV Channel 25 (Fox, Boston, MA)
- WSOC-TV, Channel 9 (ABC, Charlotte, NC)
- WAXN-TV, Channel 64 (IND, Charlotte, NC)
- WHIO-TV, Channel 7 (CBS, Dayton, OH)
- WFOX-TV, Channel 30 (Fox, Jacksonville, FL)
- WFOX2-TV, Channel 32 (MNT, Jacksonville, FL)
- WHBQ-TV, Channel 13 (Fox, Memphis, TN)
- WFTV-TV, Channel 9 (ABC, Orlando, FL)
- WRDQ-TV, Channel 27 (IND, Orlando, FL)
- WPXI-TV, Channel 11 (NBC, Pittsburgh, PA)
- KIRO-TV, Channel 7 (CBS, Seattle, WA)
- KOKI-TV, Channel 23 (Fox, Tulsa, OK)
- KMYT-TV, Channel 41 (MNT, Tulsa, OK)
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more news, tips, and reviews. Need cord cutting tech support? Join our Cord Cutting Tech Support Facebook Group for help.
Did you know we have a YouTube Channel? Every week we have a live Cord Cutting Q&A, and weekly Cord Cutting recap shows exclusively on our YouTube Channel!