Dish Network (NASDAQ: DISH) engaged in talks with embattled Sony Pictures over the weekend about screening the comedy feature The Interview for its 14 million subscribers, but ultimately balked.
This "exclusive" comes courtesy of Fox Business Network, which is currently locked, alongside its bigger sister channel Fox News, in a bitter carriage standoff with Dish.
According to the report, Dish and Sony conducted "24/7" talks to put The Interview on the satellite's company's VOD service as soon as Christmas Day, but Dish Chairman Charlie Ergen ultimately "declined for unspecified reasons."
The mid-budget comedy about two TV journalists assigned by the CIA to assassinate North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has been the focus of global news coverage recently. The FBI has confirmed that the North Korean government backed a cyber attack on Sony that ultimately succeeded in its goal of stopping the theatrical release of the film.
On Friday, President Obama criticized Sony for not theatrically releasing The Interview, calling the decision "a mistake."
For more:
- read this Fox Business Network story
Related links:
Fox News blackout of Dish is on: Will Ergen dig his heels in?
Fox News finds new way to scare its viewers, warns of Dish blackout
Pay-TV VOD exclusive for 'The Interview'? Sony says no