Advanced Television

DISH Network to go OTT

August 7, 2014

By Chris Forrester

Charlie Ergen’s DISH Network DTH pay-TV operation will offer an OTT service later this year using Disney-owned networks. Ergen told analysts on his Q2 results conference call that the service would appeal to college kids living away from home and young people who do not live at the same place al the time. Ergen said he anticipated a price of $20-$30 a month for the service.

Ergen, during the call, admitted that the pay-TV business, as it is currently structured, could be in decline.

DISH on August 5 announced a multiyear renewal contract with Disney-backed A&E Networks, and which will permit DISH to stream OTT material. Earlier this year, DISH concluded a similar deal with Disney’s ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Disney Chanel and ABC Family.

Under the A+E deal, DISH has multi-stream rights to the A&E networks, whereas Disney’s contract specifies only one stream per account. Ergen said he had “a concern” about the single-stream restriction in the Disney deal, and suggesting that a single household might easily want to stream two different sports events at the same time.

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