DISH cancels EastEnders — for now

DetailsMichelle Clancy | 10 July 2015




DISH Network is discontinuing its pay-per-view East Enders offering, which it has been running the past 11 years.


The $9.95 monthly pay-per-view offering for the BBC soap is in limbo while the satcaster and BBC Worldwide determine the next move. It's possible that the offering could move to DISH's over-the-top (OTT). offering, Sling TV.

"The EastEnders TV series is temporarily unavailable as a new distribution model is being finalised by Dish and BBC Worldwide," the two said. "We regret any inconvenience and remain committed to promptly returning this content to our customers."

The discontinuation has riled US fans of the 30-year old British TV fixture, including Bobbie A Camp, who said in a Twitter exchange with the @Dish_Answers account, "EastEnders has been on PPV since 2004 through Dish, and to just cancel it without a word to viewers - tsk, tsk."

The show's older episodes continue to air on public television stations around the country.