VzMail
Verizon FiOS TV to Offer 12 Disney and ESPN Networks on Expanded Basic As Well As Broadband Products ABC News Now, Disney Connection, ESPN360 and More
Agreement Includes Cooperative Plan to Help Curb Internet Piracy of Disney’s Copyrighted Material
Verizon and The Walt Disney Company today announced a long-term, wide-ranging programming agreement for multiple Disney and ESPN networks and services.
Under the agreement, Verizon will carry 12 television services on Verizon FiOS TV’s expanded basic, including ABC Family, ABC News Now, Disney Channel, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, Toon Disney and SOAPnet. Verizon will also be granted retransmission consent of ABC’s owned and operated television stations as part of the agreement.
Under the agreement, Verizon will carry major Disney and ESPN programming and broadband services including:
·A Disney and ESPN broadband product portfolio including ABC News Now, Disney Connection, ESPN360, Movies.com and a newly launched broadband soap opera product
·ESPN Deportes, ESPN’s 24-hour Spanish-language sports network, and Toon Disney en Espanol on Verizon’s Hispanic expanded basic and Hispanic tier packages
·A VOD content portfolio offered to all digital customers including On Demand services from ABC Family, ABC News Now, Disney Channel, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPNU, Jetix, Radio Disney TV, SOAPnet and Toon Disney
· Buena Vista Pay Television
· ESPN Pay-Per-View
Verizon and Disney also agreed to cooperate, consistent with the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act, to help curb infringement of Disney's copyrighted works over the Internet while at the same time appropriately safeguarding the privacy of Verizon Internet service subscribers.
Under the agreement, Verizon would forward and track notices to its subscribers allegedly engaged in the unauthorized distribution of Disney’s copyrighted works, without identifying the subscribers to Disney, and either provide subscriber identifying information pursuant to lawfully served subpoenas or terminate Verizon Internet service provided to subscribers who have infringed Disney copyrights and received multiple notices.
"This is a significant step forward in the effort toward inter-industry cooperation in addressing the serious problem of copyright infringement over the Internet. At the same time, Verizon continues its commitment to protecting the privacy of Verizon subscribers and only providing identifying information about such subscribers in response to subpoenas properly issued by the courts," said Ivan Seidenberg, chairman and CEO of Verizon.
"At Disney we are committed to providing our content on multiple platforms so that consumers have choice and flexibility when making their entertainment decisions. We commend Verizon for doing its part in promoting legitimate channels for content distribution and for its leadership in helping curb Internet-based copyright infringement," said Robert A. Iger, president, COO and CEO-Elect, The Walt Disney Company. "Working together to address piracy we can help to ensure that the same content Verizon is distributing legally under this deal will not be downloaded illegally."