DISH/Viacom Talks Continue, DirecTV Inks Deal

[Gregg Lengling]

Viacom and EchoStar agreed to continue discussions through next week concerning carriage of Viacom-owned programming - such as MTV Networks, Showtime and CBS.

There was a deadline for negotiations set for Wednesday. Specifics were not available concerning the carriage extension.

The move to continue discussions for carriage of the programming will keep Viacom networks on DISH Network through next week.

Meanwhile, Viacom and DirecTV announced an agreement that secures continued carriage of BET and MTV Networks' programming on the satellite TV service.

The DirecTV deal also provides for CBS analog broadcasts as well as CBS's high-def Super Bowl coverage and its HDTV lineup in owned-and-operated markets. DirecTV also will continue to carry UPN analog broadcasts.