TURNER NETWORKS PULLS COURTTV FROM DISH NETWORK™
Turner Network’s Unreasonable Demands to Renew Carriage of CourtTV
Results in Loss of Service to DISH Network Customers
DISH Network’s contract with Turner Networks expired Dec. 31, 2006. Consequently, at 10:00 p.m. MT on Dec. 31, 2006, Turner Networks ceased delivery of CourtTV to DISH Network customers. DISH Network deeply regrets the disruption of service. Over the past several months, DISH Network diligently tried to reach an agreement with Turner Networks for continued carriage of CourtTV. Dish Network offered to carry CourtTV in America’s Top 120 package, which reaches approximately 75% of Dish Network’s domestic subscribers. Unfortunately, Turner Networks refused to deliver a reasonable offer for carriage in America’s Top 120 package that fairly reflected CourtTV’s overall ratings performance and value. Their response was to demand more than a 70% increase in rates.
“We are working hard to negotiate a fair contract with Turner Networks and CourtTV,” said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming for EchoStar’s DISH Network. “But we must also protect our customers from unreasonable demands. It is not fair to ask our customers to pay a DBS premium for a channel owned by the second largest cable operator, Time Warner. We take pride in offering consumers the best value for pay TV service in the industry, and we remain committed to keeping our cost structure low to the benefit of our customers.”
In the meantime, DISH Network is offering customers a free preview of Biography, a channel which broadcasts high quality content often requested by DISH Network customers.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who made the decision to take away CourtTV from Dish Network customers?
“Turner Network ceased the delivery of CourtTV to Dish Network subscribers as of 10:00pm MT on December 31, 2006, the exact time DISH Network’s contract with Turner Networks expired. Turner Network’s unreasonable demands to renew CourtTV, resulted in the loss of service to DISH Network customers. DISH Network deeply regrets the disruption of service, but prior to the loss of CourtTV, Turner Networks refused to a reasonable offer extension to continue to broadcast this channel to our customers.”
Where can I get similar programming to what was on Court TV?
“We are happy to provide you some great alternative programming on the Biography Channel. Biography Channel will be provided as an additional benefit for our customers. Additionally, similar programming to what Court TV has is available on A&E which airs shows like CSI Miami, Cold Case Files and Dog the Bounty Hunter, as well as, TNT which airs Law & Order, X-Files, Cold Case and Without a Trace. In addition, popular news stations that cover important trials such as FOX News Channel, CNN and MSNBC are included in many of our programming packages. CourtTV’s programming content is violent in nature and consists of a preponderance of syndicated reruns of content which is owned or sold by CourtTV’s corporate parent.”
When will Court TV be available again/when will you come to terms with the programmer?
"We can’t guarantee a date when Court TV will be available again, at this time. However, in the past with other networks, we have a successful track record of being able to come to terms with the programmer and bring back the impacted channels. We are dedicated to negotiating for contracts to provide you the lowest cost while operating within rules and regulations of federal & state laws. We will notify you as soon as Court TV is available again.”