Dish to Carry Three New Univision Cable Networks

NEW YORK - Spanish-language media powerhouse Univision Communications, led by CEO Randy Falco, has struck a multi-year, multi-platform carriage deal with Dish Network that is its first agreement to include distribution of three new cable networks.

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The satellite TV provider will carry the privately held company's new telenovela, news and sports channels, which Univision previously announced. (link) Univision has talked to all major pay TV firms about the channels and said it expects to get broad distribution for them.

The first, the novela channel Univision tlnovelas, is set to launch in March with content from Mexican investor and programming partner Grupo Televisa. The two others, Univision Deportes and Univision Noticias, will follow. 

Univision will also provide Dish with thousands of hours of novelas and Spanish-language movies that will be streamed via Dish’s Blockbuster @Home package. To get the online content, Dish subscribers must register online to get authenticated as pay TV users.

Financial terms weren't disclosed.

“This agreement with Dish Network, a long-term leader with US Hispanics and long time Univision partner, speaks to their vision and understanding that growth in Hispanic audiences on Univision’s platforms will result in subscriber growth,” said Tonia O'Connor, president of Univision distribution sales and marketing.

Said Dave Shull, Dish's senior vp of programming: “This deal for exclusive linear and VOD content from Univision provides our customers with the broadest selection of top quality Spanish-language content.”
 

Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com

Twitter: @georgszalai