DISH Also Removes GolTV

CASPER

New member
DISH Also Removes GolTV




Also on Friday, DISH Network discontinued carriage of GolTV, the all-soccer channel.

According to the programmer, the DBS company removed GolTV from its America's Top 250 and DishLATINO programming packages. In response, GolTV COO Rodrigo Lombello said, "DISH Network has demonstrated total disregard for independent networks, the millions of soccer fans we represent, and minority-owned businesses by this action."

The move came before GolTV's broadcast of the Emirates Cup taking place this weekend in London. The programmer also has access to 2010 World Cup qualifying matches and games played within Spain's La Liga and Germany's Bundesliga.

In its response, DISH said in a statement that it "diligently" tried to reach an agreement with GolTV, but the network refused to deliver an offer for carriage that fairly reflects its overall ratings performance and value.

"We are working hard to negotiate a fair contract with Gol TV," said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of programming for DISH. "But we must also protect our customers from unreasonable demands. We take pride in offering consumers the best value for pay TV service in the industry, and we remain committed to keeping our cost structure low to the benefit of our customers."

DISH Network said soccer fans can catch action on Fox Soccer Channel and ESPN Deportes. The service also said it is offering DishLATINO customers a 60-day free preview of Setanta Sports. Also, America's Top 250 customers will have free access to English Premier League soccer the weekend of Aug. 15. In addition, DISH Network said it is providing a free preview of Fox Sports en Espanol for customers who subscribe to America's Top 250. DishLATINO customers already receive that channel.
 
Top