Walt Disney Company Enters Two New Carriage Pacts

LENEXA/BRISTOL/ST. LOUIS: The National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC) has secured a distribution agreement to deliver content from The Walt Disney Company, which has also signed a similar deal with Suddenlink.

As part of a multiyear deal, the NCTC will introduce several new services, including the full suite of authenticated WATCH and VOD products, notably WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney Junior and WATCH Disney XD. The agreement also adds Fusion, the upcoming SEC Network (launching on August 14), Longhorn Network, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Buzzer Beater and ESPN Bases Loaded.

Suddenlink, meanwhile, will introduce several new services, including the upcoming SEC Network and Longhorn Network. Beginning this fall, Suddenlink plans to introduce Fusion and the full suite of authenticated WATCH services.

Judy Meyka, the executive VP of programming at NCTC, said: “NCTC is pleased to again offer our members access to top-tier sports and family channels under our new agreement with Disney & ESPN Networks Group. The addition of the SEC Network, Longhorn Network and digital platform rights helps strengthen the long-term partnership and enhances the value the agreement brings to members.”

“Customers of the NCTC member companies will benefit greatly from this latest renewal deal,” added David Preschlack, the executive VP of affiliate sales and marketing for Disney & ESPN Networks Group. “Not only will they continue to receive the great content across our networks, but also the added value of accessing that content on digital platforms with our WATCH products, choosing when to watch them with video-on-demand services and a lineup of new channels including Fusion, the upcoming SEC Network launching on August 14, Longhorn Network, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Buzzer Beater and ESPN Bases Loaded.”

“A number of our customers have expressed interest in the SEC and Longhorn Networks, and a sizable majority have told us how much they value Disney networks like ESPN and ABC Family,” said Kathy Payne, Suddenlink's senior VP and chief programming officer. “We’re very pleased we can provide those customers what they’ve said they want, and we’d like to specially thank the SEC and Longhorn fans who contacted us for their enthusiasm and patience, as we worked with Disney to complete this comprehensive, long-term agreement.”

“Suddenlink TV customers will benefit greatly from this latest multi-year renewal agreement,” added Sean Breen, the senior VP of affiliate sales for Disney & ESPN Networks Group. “Not only will they continue to receive top quality content from Disney and ESPN networks ahead of the new fall programming slate and upcoming football season, but also additional, highly sought after services.”