New York - Viacom (NYSE: VIA) has reached a deal with EchoStar (NASD: SATS) that will see content from its MTV Networks, BET and Paramount Pictures become available on Sling.com, the new video streaming site launched by the makers of the Slingbox set-top, the Wall Street Journal reported. Viacom also signed a similar carriage deal with EchoStar sister company DISH Network (NASD: DISH).

Englewood, Colo. - Satellite TV firm DISH Network (NASD: DISH) and sister company EchoStar (NASD: SATS) announced on Wednesday that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has agreed to re-examine the validity of TiVo's (NASD: TIVO) core digital video recorder technology patent.

New York - Sling Media, a unit of EchoStar (NASD: SATS) that develops media "place-shifting" software, on Tuesday announced the launch of a video entertainment website that offers free access to clips, TV shows, films, news and sports from over 90 content providers. The service also allows owners of the company's Slingbox set-top to access their home pay-TV channels and DVR via the website. Content partners for the Hulu-competitor include Fox, WWE, Universal, Sci-Fi Channel, PBS, MSNBC, CBS and 60Frames.

Los Angeles - Sling Media, the place- and time-shifting device company that is now owned by Echostar ( NSDQ: SATS), is launching a free, ad-supported online video portal, reports PaidContent.org.

Alviso, Calif. - TiVo (NASD: TIVO) announced that it has received a payment of $104.6 million from DISH Network operator EchoStar Communications (NASD: DISH), an award in a patent infringement case over digital video recorder technology. The Supreme Court earlier this week refused to hear a final appeal from EchoStar; meanwhile, TiVo believes it will be due even more damages, stemming from another pending claim over whether EchoStar failed to disable its digital video recorders per order of an injunction.

Alviso, Calif. - The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal lodged by DISH Network operator EchoStar Communications (NASD: DISH) of a federal appeals court ruling that found the company committed willful patent infringement against TiVo (NASD: TIVO), meaning EchoStar will now be forced to pay TiVo approximately $104 million in damages. EchoStar said in a statement that the ruling was expected, and that it has the money to pay the damages in an escrow account and will release it to TiVo in the next few days.

New York - Voom HD Networks, a suite of HD channels owned by Cablevision's (NYSE: CVC) Rainbow Media, has filed a complaint against satellite TV provider DISH Network (NASD: DISH) with the New York Supreme Court, claiming over $1 billion in damages in the wake of DISH's dropping Voom's channels from its service last month, Multichannel News reported.

Alviso, Calif. - TiVo (NASD: TIVO) said on Thursday that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has upheld its claim that rival EchoStar (NASD: DISH), operator of the DISH Network satellite TV service, was infringing on one of its digital video recorder patents, and must pay $74 million in damages, now $94 million with accrued interest.

Englewood, Colo. - EchoStar Communications (NASD: DISH), operator of the DISH Network satellite TV service, announced this week in an SEC filing that the company will change its name to DISH Network Corporation, in connection with an anticipated spin-off of its set-top box-related businesses to a new company called EchoStar Holding Company.

Alviso, Calif. - TiVo (NASD: TIVO) announced on Thursday that the U.S. Patent Office has upheld its "Time Warp" patent on digital video recording technology, after a reexamination was requested by rival EchoStar (NASD: DISH), whom TiVo is suing for infringing the patent on its own recorders.