If you’re a DISH Network user in Iowa trying to tune into your favorite local TV channel, you might find a black screen. DISH users have been disconnected from Gray Media-owned stations in four Iowa markets amid a dispute between the two companies.
DISH Network and Gray Media failed to reach an agreement to renew their transmission contract on Tuesday, March 10, leading DISH users to lose access to Gray Media stations.
Gray-owned stations across the country posted messages on social media and their websites saying DISH had dropped their stations. DISH Network blamed Gray Media for the blackout in a March 10 news release.
What TV stations does Gray Media own in Iowa?
No TV stations in Des Moines are impacted, but stations in other parts of Iowa are currently disconnected. Here’s the list:
- Cedar Rapids/Iowa City: KCRG (ABC)
- Quad Cities: KWQC (NBC)
- Ottumwa: KYOU (FOX/NBC/CW)
- Sioux City: KTIV (NBC/CW)
What happened between DISH Network and Gray Media?
DISH Network and Gray Media failed to reach an agreement on transmission renewal, leading DISH viewers nationwide to lose access to Gray Media-owned channels, including in Iowa.
What other TV blackouts have happened in Iowa?
In 2023, TEGNA and DirecTV had a dispute that took WOI and WQAD offline in Iowa. Tegna was also involved in a dispute with Mediacom that knocked stations offline from January 2021 to February 2022…