Disney Signs Distribution Agreement With Cablevision

Deal includes on-demand and authenticated multiplatform access

By Jon Lafayette -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/4/2012 10:48:12 AM

The Walt Disney Co. signed a new distribution agreement with Cablevision Systems that provides carriage of Disney's sports, entertainment and news programming over multiple platforms including mobile.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but Cablevision will launch new services from Disney including it tablet based Watch products, the broadband ESPN3 and ESPN 3D. Cablevision will also carry ABC News' upcoming joint venture with Univision for a 24-hour English language channel aimed at Hispanics.

The companies said the deal covers 70 services including retransmission for ABC owned stations in New York and Philadelphia.

The deal also expands the TV-Everywhere universe. Cablevision customers will have access to Disney content via authentication in-home and out of home on computers, smartphones, tablets and game consoles.

"This significant agreement ensures that our customers will continue to have access to dozens of ABC, Disney and ESPN networks for years to come and, for the first time, they will be able to enjoy Disney and ESPN programming outside the home," Jim Dolan, Cablevision's president and CEO, said in a statement. "It includes the launch of new services, like ESPN3, and expanded availability of high-quality On Demand content, which is a key element of our video strategy and value proposition to customers."

"Working with Cablevision, we're able to strengthen the value of the multichannel subscription by delivering 24/7 live access to our content, which is at the core of our collective commitment to sports fans." John Skipper, president, cochair of Disney Media Networks and president of ESPN Inc.