Disney and DirecTV Reach Deal: ESPN and ABC Return with New Streaming Options

Disney and DirecTV resolve carriage dispute, restoring ESPN and ABC access. New deal offers bundled streaming options and ESPN's upcoming direct-to-consumer service. Agreement highlights flexible viewing experiences and Disney's content value, ending September blackout for subscribers.

Staff Editor September 14, 2024

Disney and DirecTV Reach Agreement, Restoring Access to ESPN and ABC

Disney and DirecTV have successfully resolved their carriage dispute, ending a blackout that began in early September. The resolution brings welcome news to DirecTV subscribers, who can now once again access ESPN, ABC, and other Disney-owned networks. This timely agreement ensures viewers can tune in to popular programming, including Monday Night Football and college football games.

The new deal introduces innovative offerings for DirecTV customers. Subscribers will now have the option to include Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus in their packages, either as bundled or standalone choices. Additionally, the agreement includes access to Disney’s upcoming ESPN flagship direct-to-consumer service at no extra cost. DirecTV plans to provide multiple genre-specific options, catering to diverse viewer preferences in sports, entertainment, and family programming.

In a joint statement, both companies emphasized the groundbreaking nature of their collaboration. They highlighted the enhanced flexibility for customers to customize their viewing experience. The agreement underscores the continued value of Disney’s content portfolio while acknowledging the evolving preferences of DirecTV’s customer base. Both Disney and DirecTV expressed gratitude to affected viewers for their patience during the dispute.

The disagreement began on September 1st when negotiations for a new carriage deal reached an impasse, resulting in Disney pulling all its programming from DirecTV. This recent dispute echoes a similar situation from last year involving Disney and Charter, which affected Spectrum subscribers during the US Open.

As the media landscape continues to evolve, this resolution marks a significant development in the relationship between content providers and distributors, potentially setting a precedent for future negotiations in the industry.