Dish Network has sent the Federal Communications Commission a term sheet it says backs up the claim, cited in a story in Broadcasting+Cable, that Cox Media Group wanted to include both Standard General and Tegna stations in retransmission-consent talks.
Standard General is trying to get the FCC to sign off on its $8 billion-plus deal to acquire the Tegna stations. It has told the regulator it will not bundle Cox and Tegna stations in retrans talks, and Cox has disputed the Dish claim, saying it never has and never will try to do so.
Also: Standard General Says Cox Retrans Deals Won't Apply to Tegna Stations
In a letter and accompanying documents Dish says will provide the FCC with "the facts" regarding that dispute, the satellite operator, which has been in a retrans dispute with CMG, submitted the retrans term sheet — which is entirely redacted in the public version — saying it was sent from Cox to Dish on November 19, 2022.
Dish has previously claimed that Cox, which is controlled by Apollo Global Management--an investor in the Tegna deal--has dragged its feet in retrans discussions because it wants to include stations owned by both Standard General and Tegna.
Dish's FCC filing only says that "the relevant demand from Cox to DISH is found on pages 3-4 of the enclosed term sheet," which is blacked out.
Standard General had not responded to a request for comment at press time.
Tegna, which owns 64 TV stations in 51 U.S. markets, agreed to be acquired by Standard General in February for $8.6 billion including debt. It also owns multicast networks True Crime Network, Twist and Quest and advanced advertising company Premion. ■
