Dish to Curtail Ad Skipping on Hopper Devices for ABC Shows

Dish Network has agreed to curtail the use of a controversial ad-skipping feature on its latest digital video recorders for ABC shows, as part of a new long-term programming deal with ABC owner Walt Disney, according to people familiar with the matter.

Dish agreed to disable the "Auto Hop" ad-skipping feature for ABC shows until three days after the shows air. That period is important because advertisers pay for TV audiences measured up to three days after a show airs. ABC, along with other major broadcasters, has been embroiled in litigation with Dish over the Auto Hop since 2012, when the satellite company unveiled the feature in its Hopper line of digital video recorders. As part of the new deal, ABC will agree to drop its litigation over the Hopper.