CMFINC
04-18-2010, 12:33 PM
DirecTV, Dish Network To Drop False-Advertising Suit
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By Chad Bray
NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--DirecTV Group Inc. (DTV) and Dish Network Corp. (DISH) agreed to drop a false-advertising suit Wednesday over Dish's "Why Pay More" television commercials.
In a court filing Wednesday, DirecTV said the satellite broadcast providers have agreed to dismiss the lawsuit and any counterclaims filed by Dish without prejudice.
No further details were included in the court filing.
The settlement is the latest development in the increasingly tight race between the satellite-TV providers. Over the past two quarters, Dish has outstripped DirecTV in net subscriber growth. Dish, however, has succeeded in turning around its growth through aggressive cuts to its service offering.
DirecTV, meanwhile, has eased off on adding subscribers and has focused more on profitability.
In February, DirecTV sued Dish in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, alleging Dish's advertisements made false and misleading claims that Dish Network offers the "same programming" as DirecTV at a fraction of the price.
Representatives for Dish and DirecTV confirmed the court filing, but declined further comment.
The companies have sparred over the exact number and quality of their high-definition programming, which has been a focal selling point to consumers. The two make up just one set of rivals getting rough with their advertisements; AT&T Inc. (T) and Verizon Wireless traded legal blows over claims of third-generation, or 3G, wireless coverage, while the telcos and cable companies continue to jab each other with their commercials. __________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Chad Bray
NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--DirecTV Group Inc. (DTV) and Dish Network Corp. (DISH) agreed to drop a false-advertising suit Wednesday over Dish's "Why Pay More" television commercials.
In a court filing Wednesday, DirecTV said the satellite broadcast providers have agreed to dismiss the lawsuit and any counterclaims filed by Dish without prejudice.
No further details were included in the court filing.
The settlement is the latest development in the increasingly tight race between the satellite-TV providers. Over the past two quarters, Dish has outstripped DirecTV in net subscriber growth. Dish, however, has succeeded in turning around its growth through aggressive cuts to its service offering.
DirecTV, meanwhile, has eased off on adding subscribers and has focused more on profitability.
In February, DirecTV sued Dish in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, alleging Dish's advertisements made false and misleading claims that Dish Network offers the "same programming" as DirecTV at a fraction of the price.
Representatives for Dish and DirecTV confirmed the court filing, but declined further comment.
The companies have sparred over the exact number and quality of their high-definition programming, which has been a focal selling point to consumers. The two make up just one set of rivals getting rough with their advertisements; AT&T Inc. (T) and Verizon Wireless traded legal blows over claims of third-generation, or 3G, wireless coverage, while the telcos and cable companies continue to jab each other with their commercials. __________________