Viacom & DISH Reach New Agreement, Averting Blackout

NEW YORK/ENGLEWOOD: DISH Network and Viacom have agreed to terms for a multiyear contract renewal, one that sees select Viacom live and VOD content joining the Sling TV single- and multi-stream services.

Negotiations between the two had stalled, and both companies warned of potential blackouts as a result. Viacom shares sank 8.3 percent in trading Tuesday, as investors worried about the impact of the anticipated blackout on earnings. The company’s stock has since rebounded by 2.86 percent.

The renewal applies to the 18 Viacom channels DISH currently carries, including Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, Spike, BET, CMT, TV Land, Nick Jr. and Nicktoons. As part of the pact, networks such as Comedy Central, BET, Spike, MTV, Nick Jr. and others will be available on Sling TV’s single-stream and multi-stream services in coming months.

“We appreciate Viacom’s willingness to continue with us on our journey as we work to deliver the best, most innovative television services available,” said Charlie Ergen, DISH’s chairman and CEO. “This creative, bold and consumer-friendly approach extends a nearly 20-year-old relationship.”

“Today’s agreement ensures Viacom’s number one family of networks will continue to be available to our millions of fans on DISH and underscores the value of our programming across platforms,” added Viacom’s executive chairman, president and CEO, Philippe Dauman. “DISH has historically been and remains an important partner for Viacom, and as part of our commitment to entertain audiences wherever they are, we are pleased to offer select Viacom networks as part of DISH’s Sling TV product. Today’s renewal, together with several additional affiliate agreements announced over the past year, will enable Viacom to drive growth and deliver better, more engaging viewer experiences for years to come.”