NEW YORK, Dec 17 (Reuters) - News Corp's (NWSa.N: Quote, Profile, Research) Fox News sued EchoStar Communications Corp (DISH.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday for about $50 million, saying the satellite television operator did not offer the channel in its "most widely distributed package."
Fox News Network LLC said EchoStar Satellite LLC breached a 1998 contract that required it to offer the news channel as part of its most widely distributed package, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.
It said EchoStar had distributed Fox News this year on its second most widely distributed package, a 200-channel package known as "America's Top 200."
"Thus, since or about January 2007, EchoStar has failed to comply with the distribution requirement," Fox News said.
An EchoStar spokesman declined to comment on the lawsuit. (Reporting by Paritosh Bansal; Editing by Andre Grenon)
Fox News Network LLC said EchoStar Satellite LLC breached a 1998 contract that required it to offer the news channel as part of its most widely distributed package, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.
It said EchoStar had distributed Fox News this year on its second most widely distributed package, a 200-channel package known as "America's Top 200."
"Thus, since or about January 2007, EchoStar has failed to comply with the distribution requirement," Fox News said.
An EchoStar spokesman declined to comment on the lawsuit. (Reporting by Paritosh Bansal; Editing by Andre Grenon)
