DISH Network Pulls Gray Media Stations Off Service

Ongoing dispute leaves KYOU and other local channels unavailable for DISH customers

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:28pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph of a sleek black metal and glass TV remote control, floating on a clean white background and dramatically lit from the side to highlight its elegant, minimalist design.A premium TV remote control symbolizes the power struggle between TV providers and local stations over channel carriage agreements.Ottumwa Today

DISH Network has removed KYOU and all other Gray Media-owned television stations from its service, leaving customers without access to these local channels. The dispute has lasted over a month, with DISH refusing to agree to Gray Media's terms despite the provider previously accepting them.

Why it matters

Disputes between TV providers and local stations are disruptive for consumers, who often lose access to important news, sports, and entertainment programming. This situation highlights the leverage that large providers like DISH have over smaller local stations, and the challenges these stations face in negotiating fair carriage agreements.

The details

Gray Media says it has given DISH multiple extensions during severe weather and major events like the NFL playoffs, Super Bowl, and Winter Olympics. However, as soon as those events passed, DISH became unwilling to reach an agreement. DISH has a history of pulling channels from its lineup, having removed more than 1,000 channels over the last few years.

  • The dispute has lasted for over a month since DISH Network pulled KYOU and other Gray Media stations off its service.
  • Gray Media gave DISH extensions during severe weather and major events like the NFL playoffs, Super Bowl, and Winter Olympics.

The players

DISH Network

A major satellite television provider in the United States.

Gray Media

The parent company of KYOU and other local television stations that were removed from DISH Network's service.

Hilton Howell

The chairman and CEO of Gray Media.

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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 can contact the provider to express their desire to have KYOU and other Gray Media stations restored to the service.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between TV providers and local stations, as well as the leverage that large national companies like DISH have over smaller local broadcasters. The situation underscores the need for fair and transparent carriage negotiations to ensure consumers have access to important local programming.