EchoStar Wins Reprieve Over Distant Signal Dispute

EchoStar was able to get a court to delay a decision in its longstanding battle with broadcasters over the legality of transmitting network signals from out of market TV stations.

The stay, imposed by the U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit Court in Atlanta gives EchoStar a reprieve after a Florida court in June ruled for the four major networks against the satellite company's transmission of distant network signals to DISH customers who could receive the signals from local stations.

EchoStar requested the stay over procedural and technical issues. The order mans that previously affected DISH network customers will not lose access to their distant ABC, CBS, Fox or NBC channels at least until after the Court of Appeals reaches a decision on EchoStar's appeal. The Court ordered that all briefs on the appeal be completed by Oct. 17, 2003.