DISH Network’s Tegna blackout ends with return of WCNC to Charlotte-area customers
UPDATE: Tegna and DISH Network reached a new agreement to restore service Feb. 4, Tegna said in a statement.
An ongoing dispute between a major TV provider and media company may leave some Charlotte sports fans in the lurch when they look to watch the 2022 Super Bowl and Winter Olympics.
Most local news stations owned by Tegna, including Charlotte’s WCNC, are currently blacked out for DISH Network customers due to a contract dispute between the two companies. WCNC is the Charlotte area’s NBC affiliate, and NBC is the network broadcasting both Super Bowl LVI and the Olympics.
Here’s what to know about the blackout, as well as how to find the games elsewhere.
Why isn’t DISH Network carrying WCNC?
Tegna-owned local news stations have been off the air since early October in most markets when talks broke down between the two companies over the contract that allows DISH to air Tegna stations.
At the time, DISH accused Tegna of “using customers as negotiation leverage, demanding a massive fee increase to nearly a billion dollars and holding viewers hostage during football season,” Deadline reported.
Tegna responded, per Deadline, by saying DISH had “refused to reach a fair, market-based agreement with us based on the competitive terms we’ve used to reach deals with numerous other providers that reflect the current market.”
The conflict has dragged on, with both sides filing dueling complaints against the other to the Federal Communications Commission, which regulates television.
WCNC’s website currently displays a message directed at DISH Network customers that links out to a Tegna website encouraging them to “share your frustration” on social media and DISH’s customer service line.
What other Carolinas stations are affected by the blackout?
Other stations owned by Tegna in the Carolinas are WFMY, based in Greensboro, and WLTX, based in Columbia, South Carolina.
Both stations are also currently blacked out on DISH Network.
How to watch the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics if you don’t get NBC
Streaming is an option if you’re not currently getting NBC but want to watch the Super Bowl or the Winter Olympics.
All events will air live on NBC’s streaming service, Peacock. While some Peacock content is available for free, you’ll have to pay to watch the Super Bowl and most Olympics coverage. Subscriptions start at $4.99 per month.
Some Olympic events will also air on USA Network or CNBC, which are not impacted by the blackout.
This story was originally published January 31, 2022 at 6:00 PM.
