Disney and Time Warner Cable have finally cut a deal, ensuring that the ESPN networks will remain on-air for TWC customers.
For TWC customers that are also sports fans, the deal also brings a number of new services as well:
ESPN3.com: TWC cable customers that also get high speed internet through the company will get access to the ESPN3.com broadband network. Australian Rules Football fans, rejoice!
ESPN Goal Line: A new highlight channel, available to TWC sports tier customers. The once-a-week channel is similar to NFL RedZone, but for college football. Every Saturday the channel will be available, giving customers live look-ins to exciting games, with a particular focus on teams that are in scoring range. A similar service called ESPN Buzzer Beater will be available during college basketball season.
Authentication: The ability to watch ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU through broadband services “as well as mobile Internet devices like an iPad.” Details on the service will be revealed at a later date.
The press release, with more details about the deal, is after the jump.
DISNEY/ABC, ESPN AND TIME WARNER CABLE SIGN
LONG-TERM, WIDE-RANGING AGREEMENT TO
CARRY A VARIETY OF VIDEO & DIGITAL SERVICES
Agreement Includes Several New Services for Subscribers, Including Disney Junior,
ESPN3.com, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Buzzer Beater and Expanded VOD Offerings
September 2, 2010 — BURBANK and NEW YORK – Disney/ABC Television Group, ESPN and Time Warner Cable today entered into a long-term, wide-ranging agreement that will provide Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks cable customers the programming of ABC Family, Disney Channel, Disney XD, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes and SOAPnet, as well as WABC in New York, KABC in Los Angeles, WTVD in Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville, WTVG in Toledo, and associated HD cable networks. Subscribers will also have unprecedented digital access to online content and expanded Video On Demand services.
This extensive and expanded rights package, Disney Media Network’s most expansive content agreement to date, provides for:
The recently announced Disney Junior, a new 24-hour basic channel for preschool-age children, parents and caregivers. Available to Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks cable customers upon its debut in 2012, the new channel will feature animated and live action programming which blends Disney’s unparalleled storytelling and beloved characters with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles and social skills.
The addition of ESPN3.com, ESPN’s live sports broadband network, which will be available to all Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks subscribers who get ESPN. ESPN3.com gives Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks fans a 24/7 online destination that delivers more than 3,500 live, global sports events annually as part of TV Everywhere. This addition also gives Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks the right to feature cleared content from ESPN3.com on its sports tier.
Access to a new authenticated service, which will give Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks subscribers the opportunity to watch the linear networks ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU through their broadband services, as well as mobile Internet devices like an iPad. Details on the launch will be forthcoming.
A new service, developed with Time Warner Cable, called ESPN Goal Line, a super-highlight channel that will be available only to Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks sports tier subscribers as early as September 4. ESPN Goal Line will take fans around the best matchups each Saturday during the NCAA football season. The once-a-week network will include live look-ins to game action, focusing on scoring drives and up-to-the minute commentary from analysts and experts. A similar service called ESPN Buzzer Beater will be available for the college basketball season.
Expanded VOD services in many markets will include:
- ABC On Demand, ABC’s fast forward-disabled VOD service which currently features a selection of primetime programming, including episodes of such popular ABC shows as “Castle,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice” and “Desperate Housewives.” Anticipated newcomers include “No Ordinary Family” and “My Generation.” Additionally, episodes of ABC News’ “Good Morning America” are available each week.