EchoStar subscribers will be able to view the Super Bowl on CBS F...

threatened to pull its programming from Dish Network this month. The order, handed down Thurs. from the U.S. Dist. Court, Oakland, partially granted a motion from Viacom that asked for a scheduling conference prior to today’s (Fri.’s) hearing and a continuance of the hearing. Judge Claudia Wilken said the TRO would remain in effect until March 3. In its motion to the court, Viacom asked for the continuance to permit a “normal preliminary injunction discovery of the evidence and declarants relied upon by the parties and would have the advantage of pushing resolution of this matter past the Super Bowl, an issue which Viacom has always viewed as a superfluous distraction in this litigation.” EchoStar’s response to Viacom opposed the continuance unless it continued through May to allow EchoStar “a fair opportunity to discover facts known to Viacom and others relating to such defense.” Viacom said it was pleased with the judge’s order although it still felt a court hearing wasn’t the proper venue for the discussion: “We put a very fair offer on the table a week ago and have had no response from EchoStar, which continues to show more concern with legal maneuvers than providing more choice to their subscribers.”