WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, EchoStar announced that its subsidiary had entered into a contract with National Programming Service, LLC (NPS) to provide domestic satellite capacity. As part of the deal, EchoStar agreed to provide transponder bandwidth on one of its owned and/or leased satellites to support NPS's bandwidth needs.
Upon learning the news, the network affiliate groups involved in the litigation filed an immediate cease and desist order, asking for an emergency motion to halt EchoStar's "flagrant contempt of the Permanent Injunction entered by the Court on October 20, 2006."
Separately today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit denied EchoStar's earlier motion to stay the injunction.
The following statement can be attributed to NAB Executive Vice President of Media Relations Dennis Wharton:
"EchoStar demonstrates again its arrogant and flagrant contempt for the rule of law. We're hopeful the courts recognize this latest stunt for what it is: a serial copyright abuser's refusal to comply with numerous court verdicts and federal statutes that preserve the enduring value of local broadcasting."
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is a trade association that advocates on behalf of more than 8,300 free, local radio and television stations and also broadcast networks before Congress, the Federal Communications Commission and the Courts. Information about NAB can be found atwww.nab.org.
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