CBS and Dish Network end program blackout with new deal

CBS and Dish Network reached an agreement early Saturday after a struggle over carriage fees that left major markets without CBS channels.

CBS programming went dark on Friday night for Dish Network subscribers in Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and several other markets after the broadcaster and satellite provider were unable to resolve a six-month contract standoff, CNBC reported Saturday.

The companies disagreed over the monthly price per subscriber the satellite operator would pay to carry CBS.

But on Saturday both companies announced they had reached a multi-year deal that let Dish carry CBS-owned broadcast and cable outlets, including CBS Sports Network, Smithsonian Channel, TVGN, and Showtime.

“We are very pleased with this deal, which meets all of our economic and strategic objectives, said Ray Hopkins, President, Television Networks Distribution, CBS Corporation, in a statement. “We look forward to having DISH as a valued partner for many years to come.”

The financial terms of the agreement were not made public, but the companies said the deal would resolve all pending litigation.