Satellite TV provider Dish has reached a deal to bring Tegna's 64 stations back to its customersafter a four-month dispute.
Ahead of the Super Bowl and as the Winter Olympic Games begin, the two companies announced the deal Friday. The dispute started in October.
"We're pleased to have reached an agreement in time for the Winter Olympics and Super Bowl that benefits all parties, especially our customers," Brian Neylon, group president, DISH TV, said in a statement. "I want to thank our customers for their patience and understanding as we worked through the negotiations."
Local stations were immediately restored on DISH TV, the companysaid.
DAILY MONEY NEWSLETTER:Money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox. Sign up here
PRIME PRICE INCREASE:Amazon raising price of Prime membership for new and current members
Headquartered in Tysons Corner, Virginia, Tegna has64 stations in 51 U.S. markets including Atlanta; Denver; Minneapolis; New Orleans; Washington; Buffalo, New York;and Knoxville, Tennessee.
Lynn Beall, executive vice president and chief operating officer, media operations, Tegna, said in a statement to USA TODAY that the new agreement restores “our valuable and important live local news, live local and national sports and highly popular network content to DISH TV subscribers.”
Dish previously said nearly 3 million customers in 53 markets – including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and other stations – were affected. The TV providercharged Tegna with "using customers as negotiation leverage, demanding a massive fee increase to nearly a billion dollars and holding viewers hostage during football season."
Contributing: Mike Snider, USA TODAY
Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter:@KellyTyko.For shopping news, tips and deals, join us onourShopping Ninjas Facebook group.
