http://www.tvpredictions.com/echodistant120606.htm
The satcaster still hopes to offer out of market network signals to 900,000 subscribers.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (December 6, 2006) -- Due to a court ruling, EchoStar last week was forced to cut off "distant" network signals (HDTV and non-HDTV) to approximately 900,000 subscribers. However, the satcaster has a new plan to keep the service running.
TWICE magazine reports that EchoStar plans to lease a satellite transponder to National Programming Service which provides satellite programming to C-band "big dish" subscribers. NPS would use the transponder to offer EchoStar subscribers a package of network feeds (CBS, ABC, Fox and NBC) from Atlanta and San Francisco for $9 per month.
A federal judge ruled in October that EchoStar must stop sending national, or "distant," network signals to the 900,000 subscribers who say they can't receive signals from their local networks through other means, such as an antenna.
Local stations have objected to the practice, saying their ratings are hurt when viewers watch the "distant" signals instead of theirs. The disagreement led to the court battle, which EchoStar lost.
By allowing NPS to offer the national network signals, EchoStar hopes to skirt the court ruling. But it's likely that the plan will be challenged.
"EchoStar demonstrates again its arrogant and flagrant contempt for the rule of law. We're hopeful the courts recognize this latest stunt for what it is: a serial copyright abuser's refusal to comply with numerous court verdicts and federal statutes that preserve the enduring value of local broadcasting," said NAB media relations executive vice president Dennis Wharton.
The satcaster still hopes to offer out of market network signals to 900,000 subscribers.
By Phillip Swann
Washington, D.C. (December 6, 2006) -- Due to a court ruling, EchoStar last week was forced to cut off "distant" network signals (HDTV and non-HDTV) to approximately 900,000 subscribers. However, the satcaster has a new plan to keep the service running.
TWICE magazine reports that EchoStar plans to lease a satellite transponder to National Programming Service which provides satellite programming to C-band "big dish" subscribers. NPS would use the transponder to offer EchoStar subscribers a package of network feeds (CBS, ABC, Fox and NBC) from Atlanta and San Francisco for $9 per month.
A federal judge ruled in October that EchoStar must stop sending national, or "distant," network signals to the 900,000 subscribers who say they can't receive signals from their local networks through other means, such as an antenna.
Local stations have objected to the practice, saying their ratings are hurt when viewers watch the "distant" signals instead of theirs. The disagreement led to the court battle, which EchoStar lost.
By allowing NPS to offer the national network signals, EchoStar hopes to skirt the court ruling. But it's likely that the plan will be challenged.
"EchoStar demonstrates again its arrogant and flagrant contempt for the rule of law. We're hopeful the courts recognize this latest stunt for what it is: a serial copyright abuser's refusal to comply with numerous court verdicts and federal statutes that preserve the enduring value of local broadcasting," said NAB media relations executive vice president Dennis Wharton.
