The last-minute dramatics surrounding EchoStar’s [DISH] contract negotiations with Viacom [VIA] Wed included a lawsuit and a very late decision for yet another contract extension. DISH put a lawsuit filed against Viacom in San Fran federal court on hold as negotiations were greenlighted to continue through Jan 14. The suit claims Viacom’s trying to get DISH to shell out too much for MTV and other nets in exchange for the right to carry 18 CBS-owned stations in cities like NY, L.A. and Chicago. Wonder what this means for Turner, which has a multi-month extension with DISH? Just weeks ago Charlie Ergen was complaining that Turner was a tougher situation than Viacom. Viacom is also seeking carriage of Nicktoons and extended deals for TVLand, CMT and Spike.

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Thursday–August 29

Still No DirecTV, Disney Deal

DirecTV’s contract to carry ESPN, ABC O&Os and other Disney networks is set to expire Sunday. The two sides were still talking Thursday, but it did not sound like an agreement was imminent.

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