I got this from Dish Network's website:
Allbritton Pulls the Plug on ABC in Washington D.C.
Background
Allbritton ordered the shut off of your local ABC Channel 7 - WJLA -- in an attempt to sidestep the law, and the rights of consumers.
At DISH Network, we work hard to fight for consumers' rights to watch programming.
DISH Network has also worked for years to advocate viewer's rights and enable Americans to watch broadcast networks and channels over satellite. In 1999, Congress passed a law called the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act, which allows consumers who cannot watch ABC channels with a rooftop antenna, to watch them via satellite.
In failing to meet its obligation to negotiate in good faith, Allbritton recently said that it would order the shut off of your ABC station unless DISH Network forced consumers to give up their legal right to watch ABC programming by satellite in areas where they cannot get an ABC channel with a rooftop antenna. Allbritton refused DISH Network's repeated requests for mediation, an extension to prevent consumers from losing the channel, and all other reasonable efforts to reach an agreement.
By prohibiting DISH Network from carrying their channels, Allbritton is denying consumers their legal right to watch local news, weather and sports by satellite in Washington, D.C. We have worked very hard to reach an agreement with Allbritton, but unfortunately Allbritton is no longer allowing DISH Network to transmit their channel and DISH Network has been forced to shut off the Washington, DC WJLA-ABC channel.
What is DISH Network Doing For You?
We're doing everything we can to get your station back on the air and protect your legal rights, including the filing of a retransmission complaint with the FCC. We'll continue to work as hard as we can to make sure we get your ABC Channel 7 back as soon as possible.
All DISH Network customers impacted by this will not be charged for any of their Washington local stations. Impacted customers will see a $5.99 credit on their monthly bill. Customers subscribing to DISH Network's America's Top 50 Local Value Pak or America's Everything Pak plus Local Channels will receive a $5 credit. This will not affect any of your other local broadcast or any other channels.
