ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, DISH notified NBCUniversal and the Federal Communications Commission of its intent to request arbitration to determine the terms and conditions of a renewed distribution agreement with NBCUniversal. This notice triggers a mandatory 10-day ‘cooling off period’ during which DISH and NBCUniversal can continue negotiating and affected programming is required to remain available to DISH customers.

DISH issued the following statement regarding continued negotiations with NBCUniversal:

"DISH is committed to reaching a new distribution agreement with NBCUniversal and to not disrupt customers in the process. This 10-day cooling off period is an opportunity for continued negotiations while guaranteeing that NBCU cannot black out its networks to DISH customers.

“If, at the end of the cooling off period, we have not reached an agreement with NBCU, we will have up to five days to formally request arbitration. In the event of arbitration, affected programming would remain available during that process, and for the foreseeable future.

“We remain hopeful that we can reach a mutually beneficial agreement that benefits all parties, including our viewers.”

About DISH

DISH Network Corp. (NASDAQ:DISH), through its subsidiaries, provides approximately 13.897 million pay-TV subscribers, as of Dec. 31, 2015, with the highest-quality programming and technology with the most choices at the best value. DISH offers a high definition line-up with more than 200 national HD channels, the most international channels and award-winning HD and DVR technology. DISH Network Corporation is a Fortune 250 company. Visit www.dish.com.

DISH’s previous statement regarding current distribution renewal negotiations with NBCUniversal is available here: http://about.dish.com/press-release/programming/dish-sues-nbc-breach-contract-expects-file-arbitration

Contact: