Disney-Dish's Ground-Breaking TV/Streaming Deal Disables AutoHop For ABC

Dish Network and Walt Disney Co. have reached what the companies say is a ground-breaking TV carriage deal -- one that includes Dish disabling its controversial commercial-skipping technology, AutoHop, as well as Dish starting up an Internet-delivered TV service using Disney TV content.

The deal between the two companies -- which will dismiss all litigation between Disney and Dish -- “will disable AutoHop functionality for ABC content within the C3 ratings window.”

With the AutoHop function -- part of the Dish’s Hopper set-top box -- viewers can skip massive amounts of TV commercials across the four major broadcast networks in prime time. C3 ratings, the average commercial ratings plus three days of time-shifted viewing, is the industry "currency," in which national TV advertisers contract viewership guaranteed deals with TV networks.
 
In return, Dish Network gets what few, if any TV providers have received recently from big media content producers -- the right to stream linear and video on demand content from ABC-owned broadcast stations, ABC Family, Disney Channel, ESPN, and ESPN2 as part of an “over-the-top” Internet-delivered service.

Dish customers can now access live and video on demand products, such as Disney apps including WatchESPN, WatchDisney, WatchABC Family, and WatchABC using Internet-enabled devices.

Not only does the multiyear carriage TV deal include established TV platforms, such as the ABC Television Network, ABC owned-and-operated stations, ABC Family, Disney Channels, and ESPN, but the pact adds networks, such as Disney Junior, Fusion, Longhorn Network, ESPN3, and To-Be-Launched SEC ESPN Network.

In addition, the deal provides a structure for “other advertising models,” including dynamic ad insertion, advertising on mobile devices and “extended advertising measurement periods.”

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

Anne Sweeney, co-chairman, Disney Media Networks, and president, Disney/ABC Television Group, added: “Not only were innovative business solutions reached on complicated current issues, we also planned for the evolution of our industry.”

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1 comment about "Disney-Dish's Ground-Breaking TV/Streaming Deal Disables AutoHop For ABC".
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  1. Douglas Ferguson from College of Charleston, March 5, 2014 at 8:14 a.m.

    Charlie Ergen outsmarts the mouse.

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