Voom Network fired back at DISH Network this week, filing an amended complaint against the satellite television operator.
The complaint, filed in New York, alleges Voom HD will suffer $1 billion in damages due to the sudden removal of all 15 VOOM channels off of DISH Network last month. The amendment was latched on to a previous suit filed in January.
DISH Network had no comment on the suit, in which VOOM basically claims a breach-of-contract. DISH Network removed the VOOM lineup in May, shortly after adding a batch of national HD channels. The removal has sparked an outcry from a small but vocal group of VOOM fans. Online petitions have sprouted up, along with plenty of threats from DISH Network customers who are looking to possibly switch to satellite rival Direct TV.
Voom HD and DISH Network originally signed a 15 year agreement in 2005. The deal had a $3.25 price per subscriber, per month for those DISH Network subscribers receiving VOOM HD. While many happy VOOM HD customers loved the high quality picture and commercial free entertainment, some had grown tired of the repeats. That was the basis for DISH Network’s decision to drop VOOM.
According to DISH boss Charlie Ergen, the company felt they could provide other channels customers would be more interested in. On DISH Network’s conference call held right after DISH had dropped 10 of the 15 VOOM HD channels, Ergen said:
“We believe we can replace those channels with other channels that have more value for our customers.”
How much longer VOOM can survive is another question. The company’s only other agreement is with Cablevision, and that is set to expire at the end of this month. Interestingly, DISH Network’s sister company Echostar has a partial ownership interest in VOOM HD. The fact that DISH Network and Charlie Ergen decided to drop the lineup shows they are more interested in saving money on subscriber fees now, than a insuring the success of VOOM HD.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
We loved the Equator channel on VOOM. I wish they’d bring it back. Al
I was shocked and disappointed to learn that the DISH Network just dropped the VOOM Network no warning. What a loss! How pleasant it was to come home and watch a wonderful, educational, visual show without advertising–a show which could take you away from the everyday news, sports, etc. which seem to be on every channel. Equator was my favorite, but Gallery with the art (History and Dead Art), green architecture awareness (What The Window Washer Saw), World Heritage Sites, Travel, etc. Ultra, World Movies. I am bereft.
When I made the transition to HD I went with Dish Network because they offered the Voom Network. That was the main deciding factor in choosing Dish Network. I emailed and complained and they pretty much said sorry about your luck. This is rediculous. I am currently looking for a new provider and hope to find one in my area that offers the Voom Network.
I will go anywhere to any lengths to be able to get VOOM Gallery and Equator from a service provider. “Too many repeats” so DISH offers us A&E HD. What kind of crap is that. A&E HD is only another sorry outlet for REPEAT NBC programming simce they took it over from the original A&E concept. Another REPEAT of “Law and Order” by whatever name? PLEASE!!!!!!!!
Did anybody find out where we can get VOOM channels? I too miss them a lot.