While Suddenlink Communications’ standoff with Viacom festers into its second week, the nation’s seventh-largest cable operator announced it has reached a long-term distribution agreement with Discovery Communications.
Suddenlink viewers are currently blacked out from Viacom’s 24 networks, both online and on their TVS, but Suddenlink will continue to carry Discovery’s 13 nets.
As part of the new multi-year, multi-platform agreement, Suddenlink’s video subscribers will have continued access to Discovery’s U.S. networks and VOD content including Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, Science, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub Network (to become Discovery Family Channel on Oct. 13), American Heroes Channel, Discovery Fit & Health (to become Discovery Life Channel on January 15, 2015), Discovery en Español, Discovery Familia, Velocity and Destination America.
The deal also included a TV Everywhere element that will give authenticated Suddenlink customers access to Discovery content, inside and outside the home, in the near future.
“Investing in and providing viewers with compelling, must-have content remains Discovery’s top priority, and we are thrilled to have reached an agreement with Suddenlink to ensure that their customers continue to have access to that content across our unparalleled family of networks for many years to come,” said Eric Phillips, president, domestic distribution for Discovery Communications. “Discovery has been committed to helping viewers satisfy their curiosity for nearly 30 years, and this renewed agreement with Suddenlink reflects the continued strength of our viewership and programming.”
Viacom’s networks went dark on Oct. 1 for Suddenlink subscribers after the two sides couldn’t reach a new retransmission agreement. Last week Suddenlink and CBS came to terms on a new deal.
“We’re very excited about this agreement with Discovery,” said Kathy Payne, Suddenlink senior vice president and chief programming Officer. “Discovery’s channels offer a wide range of interesting and educational content that provides great entertainment for diverse age groups. We’re especially pleased that we’ll be able to soon deliver Discovery’s unique branded content to our customers on a variety of devices.”
Suddenlink serves 1.1 million basic video subscribes across Arkansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and West Virginia.
