2012 RDN strike

Possibly one of the most notable events for RDN was a 1 month industrial dispute in 2012, which led to the subsequent shutdown of all RDN affiliates, broadcasts, and productions. This shutdown and the dispute lasted from August 31, 2012 until October 5, 2012. Trouble first occurred at New York City's WMLP when electricians refused to accept, what they considered, a derisory pay increase. Management attempted to operate a normal service but other transmission staff refused to co-operate. When WMLP's management ordered the striking staff to "return or else" the broadcasting union ACTT instructed members at all other RDN stations to walk out in support.

Viewers were greeted with blank television screens on the morning of 10 August 1979, and were left without regular programs, most importantly various sporting events.

The strike ended with victory for the unions in a dispute estimated to have cost the companies £100 million in lost revenue. Programming resumed at 6:00am on October 5, 2012. Returning viewers were greeted with a new jingle, "Welcome home to RDN". When the strike ended, RDN had the daunting task of luring back viewers from other stations. This proved difficult as production of original programming had stopped and wouldn't even be available for several months; RDN therefore suffered in the ratings at the hands of other stations. Two and a half months after RDN began broadcasting again, it was finally ready to air additional original programming and viewers began switching back. The dispute was the longest in the history of the My Little Pony franchise and American television.