One of the biggest scandals at International CES happened between CBS and the Dish Network. CBS owns CNET, one of the most popular tech news sites. The Dish Network makes the new Hopper DVR, the device that allows you to record up to six channels at once and automatically skip commercials in primetime TV on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC.

At every International CES, CNET presents the Best of CES Awards to all of the most innovative companies for their genius inventions. This year, CNET recognized the Dish Hopper DVR as one of most important innovations.

At the last moment, CBS stepped in to prevent CNET from presenting the award to Dish. Apparently, CBS doesn’t like that the Hopper allows viewers to skip through commercials in programs that they record.

Gary Shapiro, president of the Consumer Electronics Association, which produces International CES, said CBS is practicing censorship due to their pending lawsuit against the Dish Network. He said he hopes CBS will reconsider.

CBS Corporation bought CNET Networks for $1.8 billion in 2008. Former CNET properties are now part of CBS Interactive.

The reason why I find this development so interesting is because years ago tech bloggers were the cowboys in the wild west. They made up the rules as they went along. Now, many of the writers for CNET (no longer considered a blog but rather a tech news site) have to live by the rules of the corporate world.

CNET produces some of the best news and information in the digital world. It is going to be interesting to see how their future develops now that they are reporting to the suits.