DISH Network Pulls Gray Media Stations Amid Contract Dispute

Augusta's WRDW/WAGT has been off DISH Network for over a month as negotiations stall.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:21pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph showing a sleek, modern television remote control made of brushed metal and glass, resting on a clean, monochromatic seamless background, conveying a sense of disconnection and disruption.The DISH Network blackout leaves local TV viewers disconnected from their favorite programming.Augusta Today

DISH Network has pulled WRDW/WAGT and all other television stations owned by Gray Media from its service, with the dispute now lasting over a month. Gray Media says it has given DISH multiple extensions during severe weather and major events, but DISH has become unwilling to reach an agreement. DISH has a history of removing channels from its lineup, having pulled more than 1,000 channels over the last few years.

Why it matters

The dispute between DISH Network and Gray Media highlights the ongoing tensions between pay-TV providers and local broadcast stations over carriage fees and contract terms. These types of blackouts can leave viewers without access to important local news, weather, and programming, especially during critical events.

The details

Gray Media says it has made multiple attempts to resolve the matter with DISH, but the satellite provider has rejected all proposals, refused to honor previously accepted terms, and added more demands to its requirements. WRDW/WAGT remains available on other subscription TV services, but DISH customers are being encouraged to contact the provider and demand the station's restoration.

  • The dispute has lasted for over a month, since DISH Network first pulled WRDW/WAGT and other Gray Media stations from its service.
  • Gray Media says it gave DISH multiple extensions during severe weather and major events like the NFL playoffs, Super Bowl, and Winter Olympics, but DISH became unwilling to reach an agreement after those events passed.

The players

DISH Network

A major satellite television provider in the United States that has a history of pulling channels from its lineup during contract disputes with content providers.

Gray Media

A media company that owns and operates WRDW/WAGT, the CBS and NBC affiliate stations in Augusta, Georgia, as well as numerous other local television stations across the country.

Hilton Howell

The chairman and CEO of Gray Media, who has commented on the company's efforts to resolve the dispute with DISH Network.

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What they’re saying

“Disputes like this one with DISH are extremely rare for Gray. Until this year, we had never had a blackout with a satellite provider, and our last large-scale dispute with a cable operator occurred over a decade ago.”

— Hilton Howell, Chairman and CEO of Gray Media

“In response to each of our many attempts to resolve this matter, DISH responds by rejecting all proposals, refusing to honor the terms that it earlier had accepted, and adding more outrageous terms to its demands.”

— Hilton Howell, Chairman and CEO of Gray Media

What’s next

DISH customers are being encouraged to contact the provider and demand the restoration of WRDW/WAGT to the channel lineup.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between pay-TV providers and local broadcast stations over carriage fees and contract terms, which can leave viewers without access to important local news, weather, and programming, especially during critical events.