Disney Networks Back on Dish, Sling TV After Companies Reach Tentative Deal
variety.comTodd Spangler NY Digital Editor Disney’s 20 cable and broadcast TV networks were restored Sunday night to the lineups of Dish Network’s services following a nearly 48-hour blackout, after the parties reached a “handshake agreement” on a new distribution deal.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution said the pact covering Dish TV and Sling TV “properly reflects fair market value” for the programming suite, which includes ESPN, Disney Channel, FX, Freeform and ABC owned-and-operated stations.
According to Dish, Disney had asked for a $1 billion increase in fees as part of renewing the deal, which had expired Sept. 30.
Dish also claimed that Disney was demanding that ESPN and ESPN2 be included in Dish TV packages that currently exclude sports channels, and to require ABC local channels to be carried for all subscribers in eight markets. “We have reached a handshake agreement with Dish/Sling TV, which properly reflects fair market value and terms for the Walt Disney Co.’s unparalleled content,” Disney said in a statement. “As a result, we are pleased to restore our portfolio of networks on a temporary basis while both parties work to finalize a new deal.” Dish wrote in a tweet just after midnight ET, “We are pleased to announce that all your Disney and ESPN channels have been restored.
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