Arwalden, you might want to read this

[Khephra]

(Sorry mods, for the second thread on this topic, but I wanted to make sure Arwalden caught this info before he buys his Dish. I'd mail him, but his mail is off.)

EchoStar (DishNetwork) Preparing to Drop Viacom Channels:

EchoStar Preparing to Drop Viacom Channels: EchoStar Communications' DISH Network satellite service will stop carrying signals from CBS's 15 owned-and-operated television stations at midnight Monday if the satellite company and CBS parent Viacom can't resolve a legal dispute over retransmission fees and the networks EchoStar must carry.

The deadline stems from a restraining order imposed by a federal judge that was set to expire March 8, after which EchoStar must cease airing those 15 O&Os if the two companies have not reached a settlement. Local affiliates not owned by Viacom are not affected.

At issue is the rate EchoStar must pay Viacom to retransmit CBS and which cable networks the satellite operator must carry. Specifically, EchoStar officials are balking at Viacom's demand that in order to carry CBS it must also carry the Nickelodeon GAS channel. EchoStar filed an antitrust suit against Viacom to challenge the media giant's demands.

If no agreement can be reached by the deadline, all of the Viacom networks carried by EchoStar would go dark. In addition to top-rated CBS, the networks affected include MTV, VH1, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon.

http://www.tvweek.com/news/web030504.html

[Kadie]

1. Thanks for posting this...

I heard something was going on. We have Dish Network, and if they take Noggin away my 3 year old is going to be very very upset. :cry: Maybe it is time to go back to cable.

[ChoralScholar]

2. I had Dish Network for 2 years

I finally closed my account beacuse I was paying for cable(internet) + satellite, and with a baby on the way, we need to 'trim the fat'.

But, while I had Dish Network, I enjoyed the hell out of it. My cable provider doesn't carry VH1 or Bravo, so I really miss those channels.

From what I can tell, Dish has really been working hard to keep their rates down, and to keep the best value. I feel really good that they are trying to fight corporate bloat and anti-trust activities. I hope people realize that, and don't just get pissed because they can't watch Chapelle's Show.

[kiahzero]

3. DishNetwork was trying to "keep rates down" by stealing from Starband

They had a deal with Starband to do joint billing for satellite TV and satellite internet, but they never turned over the money that they owed to Starband, until they were sued.

So they're not exactly saints, either - just like every corporation, they have their ups and downs.

[ChoralScholar]

7. Mmm.. point well taken

I hadn't heard of that.

[Cooley Hurd]

5. I'd be mondo-pissed if I couldn't watch Chappelle's show!

"I'm Rick James, bitch!"

[Cooley Hurd]

4. They've been running a crawler on Comedy Central...

...during their programming that says Dish network is dropping all the Viacom channels and Dish users should contact Dish network and complain.

[starroute]

6. I checked out Dish because cable went up another $2 this month

But I found that even though the cheapest tier is $25, to get Bravo and Animal Planet we'd have to pay $35. That's only a savings of $10 a month over cable -- not counting dish/installation costs, and not counting whatever the deal is with local channels.

I like the idea of a dish, but it just doesn't seem to work for us right now.

[arwalden]

8. Thanks Kephra

It's good to have all the facts and background information... thanks for the summary and the link.

I'd be disappointed if this happened, but I think I could live without those channels if Echostar decided to force the issue and drop their offerings.

-- Allen

[Khephra]

9. Anytime!

While I'm not the TV junkie I once was, I'd die without the few shows I watch.

[arwalden]

11. I Still Miss Farscape. But Andromeda Helps To Fill The Void...

and satisfy my desire to experience intergalactic adventures with hunky heroes at the helm. However... nothing quite compares to the characters of Zhaan, Chiana, and Rygel.

-- Allen

[Khephra]

12. You did hear about the 4 hour Farscape mini, right?

That's being made right now.

[arwalden]

13. Yikes! How Did I Miss Hearing About THAT? Wonderful News!!

Will it pick up from where John and Aeryn were pulverized into little crystal pieces? Is it going to be on SciFi or will Showtime pick it up?

-- Allen

P.S. I've been longingly admiring the Farscape DVD sets... even with Amazon's discounted price they are definitely out of my budget right now.

[Khephra]

15. Confirmed: Farscape Miniseries on the Way!

November 14, 2003 - As IGN FilmForce reported back in July, a new Farscape project is finally on its way. While an official announcement was postponed earlier this week, IGN FilmForce has learned that the production office in Australia has re-opened and work has begun on a new project.


The Henson company would not comment on the information but a source close to the production has confirmed that the new project will be a miniseries, not a new season as originally hoped for by the fans. While no plot details are available, sources have also confirmed that the new project will be independent from the Sci-Fi Channel, the network that broadcast the series. No information is currently available about just where the new miniseries will be appearing or when.

more..........

http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/440/440604p1.html?fromint=1

I think it's been confirmed in the months after this piece that it would be on Sci-Fi.

I know how you feel about DVD sets. I had to break down and get the first season of Babylon 5 this weekend, even though I'm tight on money.

[Beaker]

16. not i.

if dish drops comedy central et al, i'll be a directv customer within 48 hours, and i won't look back.

[Deja Q]

10. Vicoms owns CBS?

Isn't owning Paramount and UPN good enough?!

Thanks for posting that, it's amazing how one large company creates an umbrella of related yet competing products and can thrust so much control and power...

[arwalden]

14. They Own The Following...

http://www.viacom.com/thefacts.tin

CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, BET, Paramount Pictures, Viacom Outdoor, Infinity, UPN, Spike TV, TV Land, CMT: Country Music Television, Comedy Central, Showtime, Blockbuster, and Simon & Schuster.

United Cinemas International (UCI), a joint venture between Viacom and Universal, is one of the largest operators of multiplex theaters outside the United States and operates approximately 1,120 screens in 121 theaters in Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.

Infinity Broadcasting which owns and operates 185 radio stations, is one of the largest operators of radio stations in the United States. Approximately 91 percent of its radio stations are located in the 50 largest U.S. radio markets. The geographically wide-ranging stations serve diverse target demographics through a broad range of programming formats, such as rock, oldies, news/talk, adult contemporary, sports/talk and country. Infinity also manages and holds an equity position in Westwood One, Inc.

Viacom Outdoor, Infinity's outdoor advertising division, has properties across Europe and is the largest outdoor entity in North America with operations in more than 90 markets, including all 50 of the largest metropolitan markets in the United States, 14 of the 15 largest markets in Canada and all of the 45 largest markets in Mexico.