Dish network in OTT first with Disney

US pay TV operator Dish Network has struck what is being described as a landmark deal with Disney that will it see it make Disney content available to multiple devices without the need for a standard pay TV subscription for the first time. 

Under the deal, for the first time, Dish customers will be able to access Disney’s authenticated live and video-on-demand products, including Watch ESPN, Watch Disney, Watch ABC Family and Watch ABC using Internet devices in the home and on the go.

The deal gives DISH customers access to video-on-demand content at home, on computers and through the Dish Anywhere app for tablets and smartphones, including ABC On Demand, ABC Family On Demand, Disney’s various on-demand offerings and an expanded ESPN service.

The deal makes Dish the first operator to secure rights to Carry Disney, ABC and ESPN Networks for an over-the-top, personal subscription service.

The agreement will result in dismissal of all pending litigation between the two companies.

“The creation of this agreement has really been about predicting the future of television with a visionary and forward-leaning partner,” said Joseph Clayton, Dish CEO and president.

“Not only will the exceptional Disney, ABC, ESPN entertainment portfolio continue to delight our customers today, but we have a model from which to deliver exciting new services tomorrow.”

“We knew early on we had a responsibility with this deal to not only do what was best for our business, but to also position our industry for future growth,” said Anne Sweeney, co-chairman, Disney Media Networks, and president, Disney/ABC Television Group.

“After months of hard work and out-of-the box thinking on both sides, led by Bob Iger and Charlie Ergen, this agreement, one of the most complex and comprehensive we’ve ever undertaken, achieves just that. Not only were innovative business solutions reached on complicated current issues, we also planned for the evolution of our industry.”