Posted on 10/21/2005 12:59:46 PM PDT by ZGuy
The owner of The Dish Network said Thursday it pulled the Outdoor Life Network from its system after the cable channel failed to provide NHL games to the nation's second-largest satellite television provider.
EchoStar Communications Corp. spokesman Marc Lumpkin said the network did not show games on Oct. 10-11 and on Monday and Tuesday as advertised. "We were not given advance notice that they would not show the programming," he said.
Although best known for broadcasting the Tour de France and cyclist Lance Armstrong, OLN this fall took over broadcasting National Hockey League games on cable from ESPN, a unit of The Walt Disney Co.
"We are surprised and disappointed that Dish has unilaterally chosen to stop providing OLN to its customers, and denied fans the opportunity to watch sports coverage on OLN," spokeswoman Amy Phillips said.
The contract dispute between EchoStar and OLN revolves around OLN's placement in a higher-priced channel package by Dish Network, which is distributed to fewer viewers.
OLN, owned by cable giant Comcast Corp., set a requirement that the channel must be seen by 40 percent of a cable or satellite TV system's viewers in order for it to broadcast the NHL games. It said the Dish Network has failed to meet that requirement.
Lumpkin declined to comment on the specifics of the dispute.
EchoStar would have to move the channel from its top package to a lower-cost package that may have fewer channels but more viewers. That would raise the fees Dish Network viewers pay.
"We work hard to provide choice for customers and to keep prices low," Eric Sahl, an EchoStar senior vice president, said in a statement. "Most of our customers have made the decision they do not want to pay the additional cost of watching the channel."
EchoStar hasn't been afraid to take on networks before. In March 2004, it pulled Viacom Inc. programming — including MTV, the Comedy Channel and Nickelodeon — from the Dish Network for two days until an agreement was struck on a long-term contract.
Based in suburban Englewood, EchoStar's Dish Network has about 11.4 million customers.
Comcast Subsidiary Refuses to Provide OLN Programming to EchoStar's DISH Network; 'Strong-arm Tactics by Comcast Punish EchoStar Customers'ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 20, 2005--EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) confirmed today that it is no longer carrying Outdoor Life Network. The Comcast-owned programmer recently demanded that EchoStar force millions of additional DISH Network customers to pay for its outdoor programming as a condition to continued availability. EchoStar was unwilling to impose those additional costs on consumers.
"We work hard to provide choice for our customers and to keep prices low," said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming for EchoStar. "Most of our customers have made the decision they do not want to pay the additional cost of watching that channel."
For customers impacted by the loss of OLN, DISH Network recently added College Sports TV (CSTV), NFL Network and ESPNU at no additional cost. DISH Network offers other channels that provide similar programming to OLN, such as The Outdoor Channel and the Men's Channel. For hockey fans, hundreds of hockey games are available through regional sports networks offered by DISH Network, or customers can subscribe to the NHL Center Ice Package, which offers a variety of hockey games much broader than those offered on OLN.
About EchoStar
EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 11.4 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM), the fastest-growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last five years. DISH Network offers hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com.
The benefit of the Center Ice package is the availability of the most popular hockey program in North America, "Hockey Night In Canada", carried on CBC.
like i know that already dude... why do you think i miss VOOM
Yeah, that Clarke really stinks. Last team his team played, they stunk so bad they lost by one goal in seven games to the Stanley Cup champs.
You'd have to be a Wings, Avalanche or Devils fan to root for a more consistently successful team.
In fact, the only time the Flyers ever missed the playoffs since Clarke joined the team was when Clarke was replaced as GM.
Unfortunately, for me, being 22 miles from the majority of the local TV transmitters, rabbit ears don't cut it-gotta do the outdoor antenna thing for HDTV. Well I can get 2 stations without!
I'm a Flyer fan myself. I love Center Ice because the Flyers will be on. We never miss a game. OLN games aren't that great, but they do the blackout of the satellite band when OLN televises.
But Comcast owns OLN and the Flyers. Directv remains the way to go. No problems there.
From your "lips" to ..... er ...... whoever's ears can get the job done.
"I'm Texan, have basic cable, not Dish, and could not care less about some silly northerners slipping around on the ice whacking at a biscuit."
As opposed to rolling around on the ground in a muddy, bloody corral, hog-tying calfs, burning them and cutting their nuts off. How 'bout them biscuits?
Yeah, that Clarkie really stinks. What's he ever done as a GM except win two NHL Executive of the Year Awards; got his teams to the Stanley Cup Finals five times (that's five conference championships); nine division titles; and he's currently managing the Eastern Conference Finalists who are one point out of the division lead.
Yeah, he's really clueless. Or, one of you two is.
It's amazing how often this inanity has to be slapped down and amazing how easy it is.
Hockey webcasts on comcast.net.
Isn't it amazing? It's great. I just found it a couple of weeks ago and I've watched several games.
It didn't seem like they advertised it or gave it any publicity at all. Wonder why? Maybe experimental.
Can anyone get it or do you have to subscribe to Comcast cable service?
Dish Network has 'NHL Season Ticket' that I purchased for $129.00
I get almost every game played.
That plus reruns on the FSN channels during the day, means there's almost always a game on.
I don't know, I'm a subsrciber, but never log in to watch the games. If you don't have to log in I guess anyone can watch.
I agree, the webcasts are a great thing for hockey fans.
I'm a diehard Pens fan and a hockey nut. If I'm really desperate, I'll even put on the Flyers game.(of course I root for the other team) ;^)
We dumped THE DISH a long time ago.
Sorry, but this annoyed the crap out of me last night when I wanted to watch Dallas/Minnesota. I have the NHL Center Ice package - through Dish Network - and I couldn't watch my home-state team. They also announced the US Olympic roster before the game - missed that too.
Yep. They're both great to watch on television.
I would be real upset with Dish Network come Saturday afternoon if I couldn't see my favorite bull riding competition carried by OLN.
Go Senators. Man, are they fun to watch.
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