WBTW’s Dish Retrans Contract Set To Expire

Media General CBS affiliate WBTW Myrtle Beach, S.C. (DMA 103), announced Wednesday that its current retransmission consent contract with Dish Network expires on Sunday, June 30 at midnight (ET) and at this time “it appears unlikely that a new agreement will be reached.”

The station added: “If a new retransmission consent contract is not reached by then, by law, Dish cannot carry certain local television stations owned, operated, or serviced by WBTW Medial General Inc. on its satellite system.”

“Our highly-rated television station is an important asset to our local communities and it is unfortunate that Dish Network does not recognize our fair market value,” said General Manager Randy Ingram. “We look forward to continuing negotiations with DISH Network to reach a deal before our contract expires.

“In the event that our station is no longer carried by Dish Network, viewers may continue to watch our local news, lifestyle and sports programs, as well as top-rated prime time and syndicated programming, over-the-air via antenna or by switching to an alternative pay-TV service provider.”