Jesse Jackson Is Trying to Save WGN America and Underground From Being Removed From the Dish Network

WGN America’s hit series Underground has given the network a huge boost in viewership and ratings. But the many WGN viewers who subscribe to Dish TV are about to be without the network and show. As of last week, the network was removed from Dish because of an ongoing carriage dispute. Now civil rights activist and Rainbow PUSH Coalition founder Jesse Jackson is urging the satellite-TV provider to add WGN back to its channel lineup.

Jackson sent Dish Chairman and CEO Charlie Ergen a letter in support of having Dish put WGN America back on its air. 

The letter stated in part:

While DISH’s decision to pull WGN America from its lineup might seem, on the surface, like a disagreement between two parties – the ripple effect of that decision is greater than anyone might realize. This news is disappointing on so many levels. As illustrated by their critically acclaimed series, “Underground,”

WGN America is deeply committed to sharing positive portrayals of African Americans and instilling a sense of hope and positivity at a time when our nation needs it most. Its impact, at the most basic level, is to promote the African American experience in a way that speaks to the next generation-something that the executives at DISH should keep in mind.

For far too long African Americans have been underrepresented and unfavorably portrayed on television, silencing the significant contributions they have made to this country. “Underground” is a crucial part of a brand-new day of diversity on television that sheds a bright light on the bravery, ingenuity and power of the African-American experience, and is being used as teachable moments in homes and history classes around the nation at a time when we need it most. Never before have we seen a serialized program focusing on the American heroes of the Underground Railroad, those who had nothing yet used what little they had to make it to freedom. It is an inspiring and moving narrative that we need to retell again and again if we are to heal this country and the shift the divisive dialogue to one of hope and understanding.

Every other distributor has recognized the value of “Underground,” and we’re extremely saddened to hear that the Underground train has literally left the station and DISH is not on board. It’s a move that impacts viewers in a way that is palpable and reminds those in the African American community that their stories don’t hold much weight when it comes to addressing differences among partners.