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First Alert 4 has been off DISH Network since March 10, 2026, marking the longest blackout in Gray Media’s history. The unprecedented decision stems from failed contract negotiations over exorbitant licensing demands that have left hundreds of thousands of St. Louis area households without local weather, news, and sports coverage.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Blackout Duration: Over 36 days and counting since March 10, 2026
- Scope: 226 local stations in 113 markets nationwide affected by Gray Media dispute
- Root Cause: Retransmission fee negotiations broke down over unreasonable demands
- Gray CEO: Hilton Howell confirmed DISH refuses to honor previously accepted terms
A Month Without Local News and Weather
DISH Network customers in St. Louis, Nashville, Kansas City, and dozens of other markets lost access to First Alert 4 on the evening of March 10. The satellite provider yanked the Gray Media station after contract renewal negotiations collapsed at the last minute. KMOV channel 4 remains off the air with no restoration date announced.
According to Gray Media leadership, the company had previously offered DISH multiple deadline extensions during critical events including the NFL playoffs, Super Bowl, and Winter Olympics. Once those major events concluded, negotiations deteriorated. Gray stated DISH became unwilling to reach agreements, rejecting all proposals.
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DISH Network’s Pattern of Channel Disputes
This blackout represents a dramatic escalation in DISH’s contentious history with broadcasters. The satellite provider has pulled more than 1,000 channels over recent years, creating recurring access problems for subscribers nationwide. The First Alert 4 situation marks one of the largest retransmission disputes in television history.
DISH blamed Gray Media for attempting to strong-arm the company into accepting what the provider calls “unreasonable rate increases.” However, Gray Media CEO Hilton Howell countered that DISH responds to every proposal by “rejecting all proposals, refusing to honor terms it earlier had accepted, and adding more outrageous terms to its demands.”
Why Retransmission Fees Matter to Viewers
At the heart of the dispute are retransmission consent fees, which stations charge pay-TV providers like DISH for the right to carry their broadcasts. These fees have become a major flashpoint in contract negotiations nationwide. Gray Media maintains that its fee requests reflect fair market value for content. DISH contends the demands far exceed reasonable costs for local programming.
| Key Detail | Information |
| Stations Affected | 226 local TV stations across 113 markets |
| Blackout Start | March 10, 2026 at 6 PM |
| Primary Dispute | Retransmission consent fees (licensing costs) |
| Gray’s Position | DISH rejecting all fair proposals with new demands |
“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
Where to Watch First Alert 4 During the Blackout
First Alert 4 remains available on other subscription television services, so DISH customers aren’t completely cut off from KMOV content. The station continues updating its website and mobile app with weather, local news, and sports coverage. Viewers can also stream KMOV content through alternative platforms.
Gray Media emphasized that viewers can contact DISH directly at 833-8-KEEPUS (833-835-3787) to demand restoration of First Alert 4 and other Gray stations. The network has encouraged customers to visit keepmylocalstation.com for additional ways to support the return of local broadcasting to DISH’s lineup.
Will This Blockade Ever End, or Is This Just the Beginning?
Industry observers worry about broader implications for viewers nationwide. DISH’s pattern suggests future disputes may become more frequent and protracted. Gray Media’s unprecedented experience indicates even established broadcasters aren’t immune to extended blackouts affecting their audiences and advertising revenue.
The First Alert 4 situation raises critical questions about satellite TV’s future viability in an era of escalating retransmission disputes. Will DISH eventually capitulate to Gray’s terms, or will customers finally abandon the provider? The answer may reshape how television deals are negotiated across North America for years to come.
Sources
- First Alert 4 (KMOV) – DISH Network dispute coverage and updates from St. Louis NBC affiliate
- Gray Media Press Release – Official statements from broadcast company regarding retransmission negotiation failures
- TV Technology – Industry analysis of 226-station blackout affecting 113 markets nationwide
