DirecTV and Disney have reached an agreement that brings Disney’s popular channels, including ESPN and ABC, back to the satellite provider’s 11.3 million subscribers. The deal, announced Saturday, Sept. 14, came just in time for key sporting events like college football and the Emmy Awards, which were previously inaccessible to DirecTV subscribers due to a prolonged blackout.
‘First-of-its-kind collaboration’
“Through this first-of-its-kind collaboration, DIRECTV and Disney are giving customers the ability to tailor their video experience through more flexible options. DIRECTV and Disney have a long-standing history of connecting consumers to the best entertainment, and this agreement furthers that commitment by recognizing both the tremendous value of Disney’s content and the evolving preferences of DIRECTV’s customers. We’d like to thank all affected viewers for their patience and are pleased to restore Disney’s entire portfolio of networks in time for college football and the Emmy Awards this weekend,” commented the two companies in a joint statement.
“Multiple genre-specific options”
Under the terms of the new agreement, DirecTV will have the option to offer customers multiple genre-specific packages, including sports, entertainment, and kids and family content. Additionally, the satellite provider will be able to include Disney’s streaming services, Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, in select packages or on an a la carte basis.
DirecTV has also secured the rights to distribute Disney’s upcoming ESPN flagship direct-to-consumer streaming service, expected to launch in 2025, at no additional cost to its subscribers. This move echoes a similar agreement reached between Charter Communications and Disney last year.
Victory for DirecTV subscribers
The dispute, which lasted nearly two weeks, centered around disagreements over fees and bundle structures. DirecTV had sought more flexibility in offering genre-specific channels, while Disney maintained that DirecTV’s proposals did not adequately reflect the value of its networks.
The resolution of the blackout is a significant victory for DirecTV subscribers who had been deprived of popular programming. It also highlights the ongoing negotiations between pay-TV providers and content companies as they navigate the evolving television landscape. While the terms of the deal remain confidential, both companies expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
