Originally Posted by Viacom

We don't really understand why. Because despite what they are saying now, the increases we've been asking for are both modest and reasonable -- amounting to less than 6 cents per month per subscriber for all of our services (combined) including CBS and BET. To put that in perspective, I'd point out that EchoStar recently raised its rates to subscribers by as much as three dollars per month. I'd also point out that what we were seeking for all of our multiple channels together -- which include Nickelodeon, the #1 rated cable network -- was substantially less than the $2 a month per subscriber that distributors pay for ESPN alone. In all, Americans spend more than 20% of their TV viewing time watching our networks, yet our fees amount to less than 5% of what EchoStar generates from their average customer.


Those are the facts. And the facts make it clear that EchoStar/DISH Network's decision to pull the plug on our channels shows they care a lot more about lining their own pockets than about what matters to their subscribers. Rather than negotiate in good faith like every other cable and satellite operator, they prefer to peddle insults, distortions, and outright untruths. Which is to say they are not acting in the public interest or in a commercially reasonable manner