GRANT COUNTY – The Dish Network abruptly pulled a CBS affiliate from Boise and an ABC affliliate from Portland out of the programming lineup last week.

Satellite TV viewers who tuned in to KBCI or KATU found a videotaped message from Dish Network instead of the regular shows.

DISH blamed unfair demands from Fisher Communications for a failure to reach a new contract for airing the local affiliates. The previous contract expired Dec. 17.

Eric Sahl, DISH senior vice president of programming, said Fisher was demanding an 82 percent rate increase from DISH for carrying the programming.

“Fisher Communications’ demands have forced us to remove this channel from our local programming line-up, forcing this disruption to our customers,” said Sahl.

“We continue to fight for our subscribers by remaining the leader in value and in order to do this, we need fair contracts and competitive pricing for our customers. This is why we refuse Fisher Communications’ request for increased pricing and unreasonable terms.”

The company’s message also urged viewers to contact the local stations and express their views or to complain to major advertisers who use those channels.

Meanwhile, Fisher announced that it had filed a $1 million breach of contract lawsuit in federal District Court in Oregon. The suit stems from a dispute over carriage of a Portland station – KUNP, a Univision affiliate – under the previous contract.

The programming change affect viewers well beyond Grant County, going throughout the viewing territory of the Portland and Boise stations.

Fisher Communications operates 13 full-power and eight low-power TV stations and eight radio stations in the Northwest.

The change does not affect DirecTV or cable TV subscribers.