March 7th, 2014
The Walt Disney Corporation and DISH Network satellite TV provider have reached a wide-ranging and historical agreement between the two companies, DISH announced this week.
The renewal agreement supports the companies’ mutual goal to deliver the best video content to customers across multiple platforms by strengthening the value of the multi-channel video subscription today and by creating the opportunity for DISH to deliver new services in the future.
Highlights from the multi-year deal include DISH’s “first” of securing rights to carry Disney, ABC and ESPN Networks for over-the-top subscriptions services. Also, Disney Junior, Fusion, the Longhorn Network, ESPN3 and the to-be launched SEC ESPN are all included, and expanded video-on-demand is now available to Dish customers on-the-go with mobile devices.
The agreement also results in the dismissal of pending litigation between the two companies, including disputes over PrimeTime Anytime and AutoHop. As part of the accord, DISH will disable AutoHop functionality for ABC content within the C3 ratings window. The deal also provides a structure for other advertising models as the market evolves, including dynamic ad insertion, advertising on mobile devices and extended advertising measurement periods.
Why this matters
This is important for consumers because not only are Disney channels such as ABC and the ESPN network some of the most watched in the entire nation, but it sets a positive step forward for the proliferation of new media and the new “Netflix”-esque era of media consumption.
By allowing over-the-top subscriptions, the two companies are starting a historic move that will greatly benefit consumers. This is even more momentous during the Comcast/TWC merger that does the exact opposite. This greatly increases the democratization of the web and media in general.
Find out more at Dish.com.
Categories: DISH & TV news