- Speculation in the media industry is that discussions between Dish Network (DISH -1.5%) and Disney (DIS +0.4%) over carriage fee contract extensions aren't going well.
- There's a growing suspicion from analysts that Dish CEO Charlie Ergen is bold enough to blackout ESPN in the middle of football season in order to make a point.
- What to watch: Expect rhetoric to get heated as the contract expiration deadline of September 30 approaches. If Dish does pull the plug on Disney, the support from within the industry will be analyzed closely to separate the true sympathizers from the poachers.