Dish Network to carry SEC Network

Dish Network and ESPN owner Disney have finally come to a deal over DVRing, according to reports. And in a side agreement between the two sides, SEC fans will be able to watch the new SEC Network when it comes in August.

The two sides had also come to an agreement which means that the Dish’s auto-hop function – which allows viewers not to have to view commercials – will be disabled for all ABC/ESPN programming. And while that may be annoying for some people DVRing SEC games or SEC Network shows, the good news is is that at least they’ll be watching them.

John Skipper, President, ESPN & Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks said in a statement: “We worked with DISH to smartly address the future of the multi-screen world on several levels.  Together, we are adding value to the traditional video subscription by making great content accessible across platforms and delivering new products, including our WatchESPN authenticated networks, the highly anticipated launch of the SEC ESPN Network, expanded distribution for Longhorn Network, and a reimagined ESPN Classic video-on-demand channel.  At the same time, we are creating opportunities to add new subscribers and introducing the value of a multichannel subscription to a small subset of broadband-only consumers.”

BOTTOM LINE: Dish has 14 million customers – so it wasn’t in the interest of any of the parties NOT to come to a deal. If the Disney channels had been disabled, Dish could have lost a fortune….and seen their stock price hammered in the process. Great news for SEC fans!!