Dish Network and Nexstar Media Group have finally reached a new multi-year agreement that will bring Nexstar’s local TV stations and WGN America back to Dish subscribers. The long-awaited agreement was signed on December 22, 2020, after a 3-week blackout that began on December 2.

The blackout affected more than 4 million Dish subscribers, who were unable to access Nexstar’s 164 local TV stations in 115 markets across the US. Some of the affected markets include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston. Dish subscribers also lost access to WGN America, a national cable network that features popular shows like Law & Order, Blue Bloods, and America’s Funniest Home Videos.

The blackout was caused by a dispute over retransmission fees, which are the fees that pay-TV providers like Dish pay to local TV stations in exchange for the right to broadcast their programming. Nexstar had demanded higher fees from Dish, arguing that its programming has “significantly increased in value” over the past few years. Dish, on the other hand, claimed that Nexstar was asking for “unreasonable and excessive” fees that would lead to higher costs for its subscribers.

The new agreement between Dish and Nexstar reportedly includes “fair market compensation for Nexstar’s broadcast stations and WGN America”, according to a joint statement released by the two companies. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The agreement also includes a mechanism for future distribution of both Nexstar’s local stations and WGN America on Dish’s streaming service, Sling TV.

The blackout has been a major inconvenience for Dish subscribers, especially during the holiday season, when many popular shows and events were airing on Nexstar’s stations. The blackout also caused a lot of frustration on social media, with angry subscribers tweeting their complaints to both Dish and Nexstar. The new agreement should come as a relief to Dish subscribers, who can now enjoy their favorite local news, sports, and entertainment programming once again.

In conclusion, Dish Network and Nexstar Media Group have finally settled their dispute over retransmission fees, bringing Nexstar’s local TV stations and WGN America back to Dish subscribers. The new agreement is a win-win for both companies, and more importantly, for the millions of viewers who rely on local TV stations for news and entertainment.