Advanced Television

HDNet sues DirecTV

November 12, 2007

HDNet has filed a lawsuit against DirecTV in an effort to stop the satellite company from moving the company’s two HD channels to a special HD-tier. The suit claims DirecTV is trying to destroy HDNet by bumping the network and its sister net HDNet Movies to the satcaster’s HD Extra Pack which costs subscribers an extra $4.99 per month.

The lawsuit alleges DirecTV is violating the carriage deal between it and HDNet by moving the two networks to the other tier. On top of the $9.99 DirecTV subs already pay for HD access, the new tier requires the additional $4.99 to receive all HD channels which don’t have a standard feed. (The planned channel lineup for DirecTV ‘s “HD Extra package” includes HDNet, HDNet Movies, MGM HD, Smithsonian HD and MHD.)

In response, DirecTV said it was disappointed HDNet ignored the language of their carriage agreement and filed “an unnecessary lawsuit.” A company spokesman said HDNet has yet to provide any evidence to support its claims, DirecTV is acting within its agreement and that the satcaster will defend the lawsuit “vigorously.”

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