DISH Network Corp.subscribers could face a blackout in 48 markets if the company fails to reach anew retransmission deal with MediaGeneral Inc., TV Predictions reported March 27.

The potential blackout could reportedly affect roughly 70 localstations in markets such as San Francisco/Oakland, Calif.; Providence, R.I.; Austin,Texas; Indianapolis; Buffalo, N.Y.; and Portland, Ore., this week, with the currentagreement set to expire 6:59 p.m. ET March 31. The stations have also started postingnotices on their websites to warn viewers about the retrans dispute.

DISH, meanwhile, said in a post on the DishPromise.com websitethat it does not understand why Media General has involved customers at this timeas the two companies are still in talks. There is still time to reach a mutuallybeneficial deal, said DISH.

The news comes as The American Cable Association, DISH unit DISHNetwork LLC and the ITTA recently urgedthe FCC to either deny the proposed merger dealbetween Nexstar Broadcasting GroupInc. and Media General or impose conditions.