Dish Network (NASDAQ: DISH) will not be presenting the UFC 186: Johnson vs. Horiguchi pay-per-view event, with the satellite operator and the fight org unable to reach a carriage agreement.
"While all other providers in the U.S. have come to an agreement on renewal terms, Dish Network has elected not to renew its distribution agreement with UFC," read a statement released by UFC on Wednesday.
On a www.ufc/nodish website, the UFC directs users to a number of over-the-top viewing options for Saturday's fight, as well as rival pay-TV operators which are carrying it. Dish's 14 million subscribers can see the event by paying for streaming through Xbox One, Roku and several other devices, for example. It's questionable as to how much value such a widely distributed PPV event, which has been marred by fighter injuries in its run-up, has to a pay-TV operator like Dish.
"We remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached with Dish in the near future, but remain committed to ensuring that all fans have continued access to UFC events through multiple distribution options," the UFC statement continued.
"Unfortunately, Dish responded, "Dish and UFC have been unable to come to an agreement to deliver UFC 186 to Dish customers via pay-per-view. Dish and UFC continue to discuss carrying future events."
For more:
- read this Yahoo Sports story
- read this MMAJunkie story
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