DISH to Offer DishLATINO/Sling Latino Customers Price Relief as Univision Renewal Talks Approach Stalemate

USA - español

- Univision demands dramatic rate increases despite ratings plummet

- DishLATINO and Sling Latino customers will be offered a credit beginning Aug. 1

- DISH offering free, over-the-air antennas for DishLATINO/Sling Latino customers

- DISH CEO Carlson: "Univision has sent every signal that it's abandoning DishLATINO and Sling Latino viewers"

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Jul 30, 2018, 08:00 ET

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., July 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- With Univision renewal talks in an apparent deadlock, DISH today has announced it will be offering $5 per month credits to DishLATINO and Sling Latino package subscribers.

On June 30, Univision Communications Inc. blocked DishLATINO and DISH customers from accessing three of its channels: Univision (including local affiliates), UniMás and Galavisión, and blocked Sling customers from accessing all of its channels on the service.

"While we've been available, responsive and have made a best effort to negotiate, Univision appears to be forcing an impasse," said Erik Carlson, DISH president and chief executive officer. "We strongly believe that, in light of Univision's departure from the negotiation table and from the DISH lineup, it's the right thing to offer a credit to our DishLATINO and Sling Latino customers."

Beginning Aug. 1, August bills will reflect a $5-per-month credit for DishLATINO monthly packages. Customers subscribing to the "Best of Spanish TV" standalone service on Sling TV will also be issued a monthly credit of $5. Prices of Spanish-language add-ons will remain $5 per month when combined with Sling Orange, Sling Blue or any other Spanish-language service.

"We assume Univision's decision is permanent: Univision executives are seeking a massive rate increase despite reports showing the programmer lost more than 50 percent of its prime-time viewership in the last seven years," said Carlson. "Univision not only offers its content free over the air, but it also sells its content online at a lower price to consumers -- $7.99 a month for Univision Now -- than what they propose charging DISH."

Added Carlson: "With these proposals, Univision has sent every signal that it's abandoning DishLATINO and Sling Latino viewers. We remain committed to serving the Hispanic community in the U.S. with great content at a great value."

In many markets, Univision is available for free, over the air, with an antenna. To help ensure customers don't lose access to Univision shows, DISH is continuing to make antennas available for free to DishLATINO and Sling Latino customers in eligible areas through August. Customers seeking more information can visit dishpromise.com or dishlatino.com/promesa. Sling Latino customers can visit help.sling.com or ayuda.sling.com

"Based on Univision's latest proposed rate increase, DishLATINO and Sling Latino customers would get a better deal if they use a free over-the-air antenna or subscribe to the Univision Now service," said Carlson.

DishLATINO offers more than 35 Spanish language news, entertainment and sports channels including Telemundo, ESPN Deportes, Fox Deportes, Azteca and Pasiones.

Sling Latino offers multiple Spanish language viewing options including its Best of Spanish pack, which features Universo, estrellaTV, and History en Español.

"We've proudly served the Hispanic community in the U.S. for more than 20 years – Univision has long been part of that heritage," said Carlson. "We don't understand why they are abandoning such a massive portion of their viewership."

DISH and DishLATINO customers seeking more information can visit dishpromise.com or dishlatino.com/promesa. Sling customers can visit help.sling.com or ayuda.sling.com. The list of affected local markets is available here.

About DISH Network L.L.C.
Since 1980, DISH has worked on behalf of consumers to deliver innovation and value. Through its subsidiaries, the company provides television entertainment and award-winning technology to millions of customers. DISH Network L.L.C. is a wholly owned subsidiary of DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), a Fortune 250 company. Visit www.dish.com.

About DishLATINO
DishLATINO is the market-leading suite of English and Spanish language programming packages in the United States. It offers its customers Spanish-language news, entertainment, and sports channels in combination with DISH's broad English-language programming lineup of more than 200 channels. DishLATINO customers can receive the Hopper, the industry's most awarded DVR, and take advantage of in-language customer service as well as payment solutions including a no-term contract, prepaid pay-TV option.

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SOURCE DISH Network Corporation