Echostar, Viacom Talking Toward CBS Deal

[John Corn]

Satellite TV provider EchoStar Communications Corp. (NasdaqNMISH - News) and Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIAb - News) have extended talks into next week on a deal that would include broadcast rights for CBS stations in major cities, including New York and Los Angeles, both sides said on Thursday.
EchoStar also said that while negotiations continued, it has asked the U.S. District Court in San Francisco to hold in abeyance a lawsuit it filed a day earlier.

EchoStar's suit seeks to block Viacom from withdrawing rebroadcast rights for its CBS-owned stations. The suit says Viacom has insisted that any deal for rights to its CBS affiliates must include arrangements for Viacom-owned cable networks such as a new offering, Nicktoons

http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/040108/media_viacom_echostar_5.html

 

[mattb]

Maybe we will finally get some new channels just because viacom wanted a deal with E* ... I really want the MTV and VH1 Suites. Nicktoons would be nice too

 

[dlsnyder]

That's usually what happens. Nicktoons would be nice to have in AT180.

EchoStar's suit seeks to block Viacom from withdrawing rebroadcast rights for its CBS-owned stations. The suit says Viacom has insisted that any deal for rights to its CBS affiliates must include arrangements for Viacom-owned cable networks such as a new offering, Nicktoons

Charlie isn't too worried about Spike TV or even MTV going away for awhile but he sure doesn't want your local CBS station (or CBS-HD!!!) being blacked out during the Superbowl! There would be "heck" to pay for that!

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I would love Nicktoons!

Spngebob rules!

 

[sparker]

If I miss one RAW on Spike TV bye bye Dish!