DISH first to launch Univision telenovela, sports and news networks

In a partnership adding adds more than 3,500 titles the Blockbuster @Home library of streaming content, DISH Network is to bring a selection of Spanish- language networks and content from Univision to its Latino subscribers. This means, says the satellite company, that in the first half of 2012 it will be the first pay-TV operator to launch Univision’s new networks—including Univision Deportes, Univision tlnovelas, Univision Noticias—and offer exclusive access to Univision Deportes Dos. In addition, the agreement will includes distribution of Univision’s existing networks: the Univision Network, TeleFutura, Galavisión and a suite of six TV channel offerings - De Película, De Película Clásico, Bandamax, Ritmoson, Telehit and Clásico TV. The deal also covers thousands of hours of novelas and Spanish-language movies for inclusion in DISH’s Blockbuster @Home package. This is Univision's first authentication partnership with a pay-TV provider, giving DISH customers access to Univision's portfolio of current primetime and library content which can be streamed in and out of home for the first time ever, behind a pay-wall. "We are pleased to have reached an innovative deal with Univision for their newest channels and their primetime novelas on demand," said Dave Shull, senior vice president of Programming, DISH. "DISH is the leading provider of Latino content in the United States. This deal for exclusive linear and VOD content from Univision provides our customers with the broadest selection of top quality Spanish-language content." Univision Deportes will be the U.S. home for Hispanic sports fans, Univision Deportes will provide more than double the amount of Mexican Primera Division football matches than any other network in the country, with exclusive rights to the home games for 12 of the 18 teams within the Mexican Primera Division, three exclusive Mexican Primera Division soccer matches live every week, plus away games for the rest of the league’s teams. Univision Deportes will deliver live sports and up-to-the-minute news coverage that matters most to US Hispanic sports fans. The network will also include live coverage of FIFA World cup matches from 2012-2014 and programming from Televisa Deportes network. DISH subscribers will also receive exclusive access to specific Mexican Primera Division games that will not be seen anywhere else. Univision Deportes Dos will air matches from Univision Deportes and with programming from Mexico’s Televisa Deportes network. Univision telenovelas will deliver a mix of the top recent and past favourite novelas some of which have never been seen in the US.