Just announced this week in a report from DISH Network, customers of DISH Network can now view ESPNU, ESPNews, Disney East and ABC Family in high definition (HD) and 1080p and 720p programming. As part of a previously announced agreement between DISH and The Walt Disney Company to expand content, HD feeds of the four channels are available just in time for key college sporting events and new episodes of popular shows. Of course, this comes on the heels of the landmark over-the-top streaming deals that are in the works and being struck between the two mega corporations this quarter. It will be interesting to see where this goes.

“With the first round of the National Invitation Tournament on ESPNU tonight, college basketball fans will be able to see every jump shot and buzzer beater live on DISH in HD,” said Dave Shull, DISH executive vice president and chief commercial officer. “We know how much our customers value quality HD programming and we are pleased to be the leader in college sports.”

Disney East HD , ESPNU HD, ESPNews HD, and ABC Family HD channels were previously available in standard definition only and will be accessible via the electronic programming of DISH’s channel lineup for customers in the 48 contingent US states; while SD versions of the channels remain available, customers in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands will begin receiving available HD versions March 19th in that area. Programming on Disney East HD is aligned to the Eastern time zone while Disney West, which is broadcast in SD, airs programming aligned to the Pacific time zone.

Naturally, the context to all of this on DISH’s end is that this comes on the press release momentum of their recent gains with DISNEY in the online arena of subscription bases a la carte TV. This is a groundbreaking agreement and of course DISH is going to capitalize on it in every way they can moving forward with other features that are starting to make their product untouchable in the satellite TV arena. The starting price of just 19.99 really can’t be touched, but innovated into the field of over-the-top and almost HULU-like programming is going to take them to the next level as the company moves forward.

Emily Torres is an Entertainment and News Blogger for TV and Dish Network.

Categories: DISH & TV news