Following an openly antagonistic stand-off over carriage rates and retransmission fees which saw the 129 local channels owned or operated by Sinclair Broadcast go ‘dark’ on DISH Network, the pair have reached an agreement in principle that will form the basis of a long-term retransmission consent agreement for carriage of Sinclair’s local channels in 79 markets nationwide. Restoration of Sinclair signals to DISH’s system is underway.

“We are grateful for the FCC’s work on behalf of consumers to actively broker a productive path forward,” said Jeff Blum, DISH senior vice president and deputy general counsel.

Additionally, DISH is asking the Federal Communications Commission to stay action on DISH’s Verified Amended and Restated Retransmission Complaint and Request for Preliminary Injunctive Relief as the long-term agreement is being finalised.

“We are pleased to announce that we were able to come to an agreement in principal with DISH, and we regret any inconvenience that was caused to the DISH subscribers as a result of the short blackout,” stated Barry Faber, Sinclair’s EVP/General Counsel and chief negotiator.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

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