COLUMBIA — KRCG-TV has reached an agreement with Barrington Broadcasting Group and DISH Network to make the station's broadcast available on the satellite television provider's service.
Under the agreement, Barrington-owned stations, including CBS affiliate KRCG, which is based in Jefferson City, will be broadcast on DISH Network in the Columbia and Jefferson City markets and be available in high definition. KRCG will return to a position on DISH Network Channel 13.
The announcement was made Thursday by K. James Yager, chief executive of Barrington, and Eric Sahl, senior vice president of programming for DISH Network.
"Barrington's station will receive appropriate compensation for the value it brings to DISH Network," Yager said. "We regret the inconvenience to DISH Network subscribers caused by the removal of the KRCG signal in Columbia-Jefferson City."
The deal comes after 40,000 Columbia and Jefferson City-area DISH Network customers were not able to view KRCG after it was pulled by the satellite television provider on July 3. DISH Network pulled the station after KRCG had asked for higher compensation. Both companies released conflicting statements at the time about how much of an increase KRCG was seeking.
"We are pleased to restore KRCG to our viewers in Jefferson City and Columbia," Sahl said in a news release. "We thank our customers for their patience throughout this negotiation process and want them to know that DISH Network remains committed to providing them the best programming at the best value in the country."
DISH Network customers protested the pulling of KRCG in July along Providence Road, holding signs that said "Stop holding KRCG viewers hostage."
John Van Nes, the KRCG general manager, expressed his excitement that the agreement had been finalized.
"I think we all learned that viewers place a high value on KRCG, and they are passionate about the conveniences offered by the DISH Network's TV delivery," Van Ness said.