DISH, Weather Channel Reach Agreement

ENGLEWOOD/ATLANTA: DISH Network has reached a deal to keep The Weather Channel as part of its satellite-TV lineup, just a few days after saying it would replace the network with its own 24-hour weather service.

Last week, the platform said that it would roll out the 24-hour The Weather Cast in place of The Weather Channel, "which has recently moved away from weather reporting to a mix of movies and other entertainment-focused programming," DISH stated in a press release. At the time, Dave Shull, the senior VP of programming, said: "Our customers always tell us that the only thing they want in a weather channel is weather reporting. We believe The Weather Cast is the best available weather service in America."

The deal announced today keeps The Weather Channel as part of DISH’s lineup. In addition, the companies will collaborate on the development of weather forecasting services for satellite customers, including localized weather programming, interactive TV applications, as well as new Internet and mobile services. Deployment of the new services will begin this summer.

"Through this new partnership with The Weather Channel, DISH Network is giving our subscribers exactly what they’ve asked for and more," said Shull. "Not only are we developing a unique satellite service that provides localized weather 24/7, but also we’ll soon deliver personalized weather reports via the Android mobile platform and the web. This agreement recognizes the importance of cross-platform video delivery, ensuring that our subscribers will have the most detailed local weather information available at their fingertips anytime, anywhere."

"DISH Network and their customers are extremely important to us, and maintaining and expanding our partnership is a high priority for our company," added Mike Kelly, the CEO and president of The Weather Channel. "DISH Network will now be carrying two of our channels—The Weather Channel and a customized 24-hour, all-local weather information network—to provide even better service to their customers. We also look forward to working with DISH Network on other cross-platform and interactive initiatives, taking advantage of our leadership position in mobile and the Internet."