Any Dish Network customers seen a message on the bottom of the tv screen that reads: Dish Network is trying to prevent its customers from receiving Vh1 Classic or Vh1/ Mtv. The message gets blacked out about half way through. I think Dish Network is in some kind of dispute with these channels and does not want the customers to see this message?

Actually, i've seen the same message scrolling across my screen as well here in Western Canada on saturday night.  

I'm on digital cable and although I can't remember the exact wording, it basically says that several of the channels are being dropped by Dish Network with no reduction in price and that people should call the (displayed) 1-800 # to complain and demand that they keep the channels.

When I first saw it, I thought I was seeing another pirate broadcast like the one back in the 80's by Captain Midnight ( http://www.signaltonoise.net/library/captmidn.htm )

Anyhow, it looks like it only affects American users.

Dish Network is in some kind of dispute with Viacom, who owns VHI, VH1 Classic, MTV and a few other cable stations.  I heard that Dish is in some kind of "emergency" negotiations with Viacom to get these stations back.

How come I'm not getting the message? ???


Howard

I know its going through EchoStar...there's articles on the internet about it...
http://news.yahoo.com/fc?tmpl=fc&cid=34&in=world&cat=media_watch

Guess I'll hold off on my plans to get Dish Network again and stick with Adlephia Cable whose owners are going to prison for ripping off the company ::)

From what I've read in the papers, Viacom is trying to "bend over" the Dish Network and charge way too much for its programming.

So the Dish Network told Viacom to jam it.

Expect more of this sort of thing if Comcast buys out Disney.  As "content providers" get bigger and control more channels, they will try to strongarm cable companies.

Its official now.All my music channels are off the Dish Network transmission. I was watching Vh1 Classic around 2:00am central time when it became blacked out. I sent an angry email to the CEO of Dish Network today. The Dish website said for customers register complaints with Viacom and its afiliates. Its just my opinion that my agreement is with Dish and as a customer I should not have to negotiate with Viacom. Thats why I pay them $89 a month. They also indicate on the website that they will give a $1 a month credit to customers who no longer receive the music channels. I thought this was an insult considering the package I had to purchase to get these channels was considerably more money. This will also blackout the Final Four Basketball Tournament, as it is one of the Viacom channels broadcasting it this year. Sorry, just had to vent. I really enjoy my We Are The 80s on Vh1 Classic.

Sean

>:( Not fair to those who has the Dish Network and watches VH1 Classic, Comedy Central, MTV2, Spike TV (classic Ren & Stimpy) and other Viacom owned networks.


In the words of "Beavis & Butt-Head", "This S cks!".

I don't blame Dish Network, I really blame Viacom.  They want Dish to pay 40% more than cable companies and Direct TV pay to them for showing their programming.  Dish Network's CEO said it's ludicrous for them to allow Viacom to do that and to have to pass along that cost to the subscribers.    They are still in some kind of emergency negotiations.  Both Viacom and Dish have said they want to reach an agreement.

In addition to VH-1 being blocked out, we have also lost the Nickelodeon channels that my kids love to watch! :(

I hope this mess with Viacom gets straightened out soon!