Viacom, EchoStar Reportedly Nearing Deal

Speaking in Tuesday's edition of "Charlie Chat," a customer call-in TV show that Dish Network regularly broadcasts to its subscribers, Ergen reported that on Tuesday people at both Viacom and EchoStar said they wanted to make a deal. "Usually, when those things happen, good things happen," Ergen said.

Acknowledging subscribers' unhappiness at losing access to Viacom's programming, Ergen said he hoped the channels would return soon. "Hopefully, you'll forgive us," he said.

When one questioner asked whether customers who dropped their Dish service because of the absence of Viacom programming would have to pay contract cancellation penalties, Ergen suggested it could be decided on a case-by-case basis. "If this drags on long enough, we'd have to take a look at that," he said.

On Tuesday, Viacom's shares fell 35 cents to close at $38.90. EchoStar stock rose a dime to $34.28.