Viacom has struck a deal to provide 22 channels to Sony's upcoming virtual pay-TV service.
Under the agreement, terms of which were not disclosed, Viacom has agreed to provide live-streaming access to leading channels such as BET, Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon, as well as TV Everywhere authentication and video-on-demand rights.
It's the first major announcement relating to Sony's secrecy-shrouded over-the-top service since it was first announced in January.
"Viacom always strives to create transformational opportunities that combine consumer value and technological innovation," said Philippe Dauman, president and CEO of Viacom, in a statement. "Given our young, tech-savvy audiences, our networks are essential for any new distribution platform, and we're excited to be among the many programmers that will help power Sony's new service and advance a new era for television."
Dauman could end up disclosing more information about the deal and Sony's service on Wednesday, when he speaks at the Goldman Sachs Communicopia conference in New York City.
Sony Network Entertainment Business Group executive Andrew House added: "Our new cloud-based TV service will combine the live TV content people love most about cable with the dynamic experience they have come to expect from our network. Viacom's award-winning networks are a perfect match for our new service, ensuring that our customers will be able to access the shows they love on their favorite devices, when and how they choose."
In what is shaping up to be a rival OTT pay-TV initiative, Dish Network has secured similar digital rights to Disney and A&E Networks programming for its own upcoming OTT service.
For more:
- read this Viacom press release
- read this Wall Street Journal story
- read this Deadline Hollywood story
Related links:
Disney deal gives Dish an edge in OTT space
Sony says it's still 'on track' to launch OTT pay-TV service by year's end
Sony plans original series for PlayStation