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Viacom and Time Warner Cable are renewing their distribution agreement.
The multi-year deal announced on Tuesday covers all of Viacom’s networks, including MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and BET.
Although full details of the new deal weren’t immediately released, including the exact term length and the money being paid, the companies highlighted that the distribution deal for both Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks would include on-demand content and allow Viacom programming to be showcased on multiple platforms through the the TWC TV app. In addition, subscribers of the cable company will have authenticated access to apps from Viacom’s channels.
When TWC first launched its app for the iPad, it led to litigation between the two companies. Now, Viacom and TWC are seeing eye-to-eye on delivering what a press release calls an “enriched multiplatform experience.” The licensing of TV Everywhere rights is said to be “expansive,” covering both in- and out-of-home.
The deal breaks ground in other ways.
Time Warner Cable will also for the first time make EPIX available to its customers. As part of the agreement, some 3,000 titles in the EPIX library including The Hunger Games, Skyfall, World War Z and Star Trek: Into Darkness will be part of the on-demand package. EPIX is a joint venture between Viacom, MGM and Lionsgate.
“We’re committed to serving our audiences on every screen, as they continue to drive the evolution of how video content is experienced,” said Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman. “Our new agreement offers consumers a comprehensive collection of innovations across platforms, including the availability of EPIX and access to Viacom’s vast array of popular content within the Television Everywhere environment both in and out of their homes.”
“We’re pleased to have reached agreement in advance of our deadline,” said Melinda Witmer, executive vice president and chief video and content officer for Time Warner Cable. “We’re working hard to provide our customers with easier access to the content they love; this agreement will provide a more expansive offering to a wide array of our customers, from parents of young children to comedy and movie lovers and more.”
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