T-Mobile, Viacom strike content distribution agreement
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Joseph O'Halloran
| 04 April 2019

In a partnership described as having a mission to build disruptive mobile TV options, wireless operator T-Mobile has entered into what is said to be a significant content distribution deal with media giant Viacom.

Under the terms of the deal, Viacom’s portfolio of leading brands — including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET and Paramount — will play a role in T-Mobile’s delivery of new mobile video services to consumers later in 2019.

The new deal enables the so-called ‘Un-carrier’ to bring together live linear feeds of Viacom channels as well as a broad range of on-demand content to serve T-Mobile’s nearly 80 million customers. It builds on the company’s 2018 acquisition of cable TV firm Layer3 TV and its plans to launch an in-home TV solution, designed to replace cable for the 5G era.

“Viacom represents the best of the best, most-popular brands on cable, so they are an amazing partner for us,” explained T-Mobile CEO John Legere. “TV programming has never been better, but consumers are fed up with rising costs, hidden fees, lousy customer service, non-stop BS. And Macgyvering together a bunch of subscriptions, apps and dongles isn’t much better. That’s why T-Mobile is on a mission to give consumers a better way to watch what they want, when they want.”

“We are thrilled to join forces with T-Mobile on a new entertainment service that represents an important evolution in how audiences consume our content,” added Viacom president and CEO Bob Bakish. “Today’s landmark announcement marks a major step forward in our strategy to accelerate the presence of our brands on mobile and other next-generation platforms, and we’re so excited to partner with T-Mobile to provide millions of subscribers with access to our networks and more choice in a new service that will be unlike any other in the market.”