With its retransmission consent battle with Dish Network in its second month and in light of comments by the satellite company’s chairman Charlie Ergen that its blackout of the channel is “probably permanent,” Univision CEO Vincent Sadusky said the broadcaster is ready to use the full power of its networks to encourage viewers to switch providers.

Univision went dark to Dish subscribers on June 30. In a conference call with analysts to discuss Q2 results last week, Ergen said the blackout with Univison was “probably permanent.”

In Univision’s own conference call with analysts on Thursday, newly minted CEO Sadusky said that he was taking Ergen’s comments at “face value.”

“It feels like they are pretty well dug-in,” Sadusky said of Dish. “We take their comments at face value. So far, we haven’t really promoted and utilized the full strength of all of our networks to convert their subscribers to other providers. But we are fully prepared to do that.”

Sadusky wouldn’t say how Univision would go about that. But the programmer owns more than 62 television stations across the country and has cable networks like, Galavision, El Rey Network, Univision Deportes and others. Univision also has a direct-to-consumer offering priced at $7.99 per month.

That DTC offering was a bone of contention with Dish – Ergen mentioned on his call that Univision was charging the satellite company more than the price of the DTC product. Dish had also argued that Univision has been declining in the ratings, while the broadcaster claimed it is the third most watched network by Dish customers.

Dish has about 13 million customers across the country and offers Univision’s cable networks as part of its ethnic packages. Just what impact the blackout has had directly on the company is unclear, but revenue dropped 2% to $749.8 million and ad sales dipped 7.3% to $434 million in Q2.

At Univision’s Media Networks group, which excludes its radio stations, operating income was down 8.7% to $306 million and revenue fell 1.9% to $685.1 million. Advertising revenue was down 7.9% to $372 million.

Sadusky estimated that Univision networks account for “well over” 1 million Dish Latino customers, and even more to non-Latino Dish packages. He added that Univision has received “north of 100,000 phone calls” from customers concerning the blackout.

Sadusky added that Univision has seen a significant uptick in the number of customers to its DTC offering, UnivisionNow, adding that many of them may be signing up on a temporary basis hoping the retrans fight will work itself out.

Sadusky said that despite Dish's claims that Univision is asking for an outrageous rate increase, the deal between the two is old and needs to reflect the current impact of the channels.

"Up to now, we've really tried to work with Dish and have them simply recognize that our deal is old and we're not asking them to do anything outrageous in terms of being an outlier with our per sub fee based upon the audience we deliver," Sadusky said.

“Going forward we are ready to change our messaging and let our people know, as Dish has said, this could be long term, this could be permanent, So it benefits us to move those subscribers over as quickly as possible to alternative services, either to our OTT service or other services in the marketplace,” Sadusky continued. “The general consensus among consumers, any research survey I've seen, usually when they list out from favorite to least favorite monthly vendors, typically it is the pay TV providers that are really challenged. I think when we change our messaging, we will move people over as quickly as possible so that we can minimize the negative impact of subscriber fee loss from Dish directly and to a lesser extent advertising dollars.”  

Univision Communications began warning Dish Network customers Saturday (June 23) of a potential blackout of the Spanish-language network, claiming that it has hit a snag in retransmission-consent negotiations with the satellite TV giant that won’t likely be resolved soon.

Neither side would reveal when the retrans deal actually expires. But in a statement Univision said that Dish has already rejected three “good faith” carriage offers by the network, including one to extend its current agreement to avoid a service disruption.

Dish claims that Univision is demanding a 75% increase to its current carriage fees, a boost that the satellite company says is exorbitant, given that its ratings have declined by nearly one-third over the past five years. Univision also lost the Spanish language broadcast rights to the World Cup soccer – currently airing on rival Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo – not only for this year but for 2022 and 2026, according to Dish. 

Univision claims it is the third most-watched network on Dish in any language, and its Univision Deportes channel is Dish’s second most watched sports channel in any language. UniMás is a top-15 network regardless of language on Dish, and, collectively, the network claims its channels represent 60% of the total Spanish-language viewership on Dish’s ethnic package, DishLatino.

“Dish has left us no choice but to alert our viewers that they could face yet another Dish service interruption,” Univision said in a statement. “We remain hopeful that we can reach a fair deal with Dish that doesn’t deprive its customers and our viewers access to the indispensable news, information and content that they rely upon from UCI, now more than ever.”

Dish also remains hopeful that a deal could be reached and expressed some puzzlement at why the company decided to negotiate its retrans deal in public while there is still time to hammer out an agreement.

"We are actively working to reach a fair deal before the contract between Dish and Univision expires knowing that only Univision can choose to take its content away from Dish and Sling customers,” Dish said in a statement, reminding customers that they can still access Univision broadcast content for free over the air. “There is still time for the two parties to reach a mutually beneficial deal.”

Spanish language broadcaster Estrella TV said it has reached a multi-year carriage deal with Dish Network.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are proud to be the leader in delivering TV entertainment in Spanish and English, and as a result, we are always looking for new ways to enhance the experience for our customers,” said Dish Latino vice president Alfredo Rodriguez in a statement. “Because of this agreement, the majority of DishLatino customers can now enjoy Estrella TV’s line-up, including its popular game shows and comedies.”

Estrella TV parent LBI Media said the network will be available on the satellite TV service provider’s Dish’s America’s Top 200 packages and above, and DishLatino Clasico packages and above. With the Dish deal, Estrella TV expands its subscriber base to more than 40 million homes.

“Hispanic audiences in the US are demanding new entertainment programming. Estrella TV Network has been betting on a counterprogramming strategy since its inception in 2009 before it was a trending topic among Spanish language television networks. This agreement with DISH corroborates the importance of Estrella TV’s programming in the US Hispanic market,” stated LBI Media senior vice president, distribution and affiliate sales Cathy Lewis Edgerton in a statement.

Looking to make a deeper connection with soccer fans, DishLatino, Dish Network’s suite of English and Spanish language packages, has kicked off Zona Fútbol, a platform for the Hopper HD-DVR that delivers several enhancements including updated scores and a “Multi-Channel View” mosaic that displays up to six  games at once.

Zona Fútbol, available for free to all DishLatino subs with Hopper DVRs via a software update, features games from several top leagues, including Liga MX, La Liga, English Premier League, Series A, Ligue 1, MLS, UEFA Champions League, and UEFA Europa League, among others.

Tied in is a Game Finder app that helps viewers find match fixtures, schedules and scores in one place, and allows fans to customize the app to display data on their favorite teams, and an app that integrates Tweets about major soccer events and trends that is displayed in a column on the right side of the TV screen.  Customers can access the apps via the “quick launch” bar by pressing the blue key on their remotes.

DishLATINO said it has tapped sportscaster Fernando Fiore to help educate customers about the company’s offerings for soccer fans.

“We are always looking for new, innovative ways to deliver the best experience for our customers, whether through technology, programming or the value we provide,” said Alfredo Rodriguez, vice president of DishLatino, in a statement. “Soccer fans are incredibly passionate, loyal and dedicated, and we developed ZONA FÚTBOL to ensure they can maximize their viewing experience, whether watching six games in their living room or one game on the go.”

DishLatino said it will offer its subscribers financial advice and guidance from noted finance expert Julie Stav through a series of public service announcements that are part of an overall educational campaign launched today.

Stav, a leading financial expert in the Hispanic community, is the author of several best-selling books and is the host of Univision’s popular new program “Tu Dinero con Julie Stav.” The campaign aims to increase awareness among Dish’s Hispanic customers about personal financial management and highlighting the important role that credit plays in opening doors of opportunity in the United States.

"Empowering Hispanic consumers with information about their options makes them feel more confident about their financial management skills and opens up new possibilities,” Stav said in a statement. “I'm thrilled to be working with DishLatino, a brand that truly understands the challenges that Hispanics face when transitioning across cultures. Many Hispanics who are new to the United States are unaware of the cultural nuances related to financial management and credit. This isn't just about paying bills on time or balancing a checkbook, rather it's about practical money tips for families of all incomes to help plan for the future."

In addition to providing general guidance on establishing credit, the announcements will notify customers of payment options available to help them meet their obligations, such as changing their billing date or transitioning to a more affordable package.

"At DishLatino, we recognize that investing in our customers is good business - an educated customer is a better customer," said vice president Alfredo Rodriguez in a statement. "With Julie Stav at the forefront, our educational campaign will provide a wealth of financial tips that DishLatino customers can apply to many aspects of their lives."

Rodriguez added that Stav has been an integral contributor to the development of the new financial education campaign as well as an advisor to the DishLatino team on how to support its subscribers with educational resources.

Dish Network’s Spanish language programming platform DishLatino said it has agreed to carry Spain’s Antena 3 Internacional network on its Plus, Dos and Max programming packages.

Antena 3  Internacional, which offers news and entertainment programming from Spain, will be available to Dish subscribers on Channel 839 in standard definition.

"Antena 3 Internacional is a leading broadcaster in Spain - it is a natural fit with our channel lineup as we seek to provide more relevant and high-quality content that speaks directly to our subscribers," said DishLatino vice president Alfredo Rodriguez in a statement.

Antena 3 Internacional is owned by Atresmedia and retransmits a selection of programming from Spain’s first private broadcaster, Antena 3, and content from its parent’s other networks, including news show "Noticias," game show "La Ruleta de la Fortuna," and top-rated shows like "El Hormiguero" and "Espejo Publico."

DishLatino plans to focus its outreach and marketing efforts for the channel in areas with Spanish embassies and consulates as well as large Spanish foreign national and Latino populations, including Washington, D.C., Miami, San Francisco and Houston.

"The agreement is the culmination of years of hard work. It allows a strong boost to Antena 3 Internacional growth, and we are confident that the channel will continue to expand in the U.S. market with a product that has already proven to be successful in very competitive markets," said Atresmedia head of international distribution Mar Martinez Raposo in a statement.

DishLatino, Dish Network’s Spanish language programming tier, has expanded its sports coverage, adding soccer-focused sports network beIN Sports en Español.

In a statement, Dish said BeIN Sports en Español will be available across all DishLatino packages, and offers a wide variety of sports in addition to its extensive soccer coverage, including motorcross, cycling, rugby and boxing. The network is launching on channel 873 in standard definition, is also available in Dish's America's Top 250, Everything and Multi-Sport Packs.

The parent network – beIN Sports –  first came on the scene in 2012, backed by Al Jazeera Sports and other investors, and has gained steam in the wake of the FIFA 2014 World Cup this summer, when it aired several qualifying matches.

"DishLatino is building on this summer's fútbol fever with the launch of beIN Sports en Español," said DishLatino vice president Alfredo Rodriguez in a statement. "Our subscribers will find beIN Sports en Español is a unique addition to our sports lineup, especially in time for the channel's coverage of this fall's many upcoming international sports events."

While beIN Sports mainly focuses on soccer leagues in Europe, Africa and the Middle East – including La Liga in Spain (featuring top players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta), Italy’s Serie A (featuring matchups between powerhouses like Juventus, AC Milan, Roma and Inter Milan) and the French Ligue 1 (featuring free-flowing teams like Paris St. Germain, Olympique Marseille and Lyon) – it also has exclusive rights to the 2015 Copa America in Chile and the Copa del Rey tournament for Spanish League teams, and England’s  second division Football League Championship, where the top three teams win promotion to the lucrative Premier League.

"The DishLatino content team has just scored another coup for its customers by bringing our spanish language network to its customers," said deputy CEO of beIN Media Group Yousef Al-Obaidly in a statement. "DishLatino customers are passionate and knowledgeable fans, and beIN Sports en Español will offer them more soccer and top flight international competition than any other channel."