Programming Note: WINK is off the air on DISH Network

Writer: Derrick Shaw
Published: Updated:
Dish Network Logo.

First, we apologize to all of our viewers that have been affected by DISH removing WINK-TV from its satellite service. We offered DISH a short-term extension of our current agreement so we could continue to negotiate with DISH without affecting WINK-TV viewers. DISH indicated that it was willing to accept the extension, so we were surprised that DISH chose to take this course of action.

WINK-TV broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. And our programming is free, if you choose to watch us with an antenna over-the-air. WINK-TV pays CBS and other programming providers for valuable programming such as the NFL, NCIS, The Big Bang Theory, Live with Kelly and Ryan, Dr. Phil, Inside Edition, etc. We also spend millions of dollars each year providing our community with local news and weather. In turn, we negotiate retransmission fees with cable and satellite companies in exchange for the right to carry our programming.

WINK-TV has successfully negotiated with Comcast and all the other distributors of our programming without interruption. In those negotiations, it was clear that both parties were committed to reach a fair agreement. DISH is the exception. In fact DISH has been responsible for repeated video service disruptions, not just in Fort Myers but with many other stations across the United States.

DISH is a multi-billion dollar company headquartered in Colorado. WINK-TV is a locally owned and operated television station. We live and work in this community just like you do. We hope that we will be able to successfully reach an agreement with DISH, but, in the meantime, you have many other choices: Comcast Xfinity (800) 266-2278, Hulu.com, YoutubeTV.com, etc. or an antenna from Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, Costco and others.

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