Will Dish Network Subscribers Lose the Weather Channel?

According to the New York Times, Dish Network had not dropped TWC as of early Friday morning.  The contract for carriage between Dish Network and Weather Channel reportedly expired at midnight on May 21.

Continued carriage is a pretty good indication that negotiations are still underway and that a new deal may yet be reached.

Complicating the situation is Dish Network’s addition of Weather Cast, an alternative weather service.  According to a May 20 press release, Dish Network was intent to replace Weather Channel with The Weather Cast.  Dave Shull, Senior Vice President of Programing is quoted as saying, “We believe The Weather Cast is the best available weather service in America.”

The press release also indicates that the Weather Channel had altered their programming mix, adding movies and other “entertainment-focused programming.  “Our customers always tell us that the only thing they want in a weather channel is weather reporting,”  according to Shull.

The Weather Cast devotes all of its program schedule to weather reporting and forecasting, allowing it to provide time to focus on local weather.  According to the press release, the contrast is that the Weather Channel is customized for cable and has never offered satellite customers the localization they need.

For more information visit:  www.dishnetwork.com/weather

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