DirecTV and Disney have reached a new agreement that will bring back ESPN and other popular channels to DirecTV subscribers after a nearly two-week blackout. This deal comes as a relief to millions of viewers who were left without access to these channels during the dispute.
The blackout, which began on September 1st, affected several major markets where ABC-owned stations are located, including the San Francisco Bay Area, New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia. DirecTV’s 11 million subscribers were unable to watch ESPN, ABC, and other Disney-owned channels like FX and National Geographic during this time.
The resolution of the dispute means that sports fans can once again enjoy ESPN’s lineup of college football games on DirecTV. Additionally, viewers will be able to watch ABC’s telecast of the Emmy Awards, which is scheduled to air on Sunday night.
Financial details of the new deal between Disney and DirecTV have not been disclosed, but it is reported that DirecTV’s payments to Disney will be based on market-based pricing. The agreement also allows DirecTV to offer Disney’s video streaming services on an a la carte basis or as part of bundled packages. DirecTV will also have the option to include ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming service for an additional cost to subscribers once it becomes available.
The resolution of the dispute comes after rising tensions between the two companies, which led to DirecTV filing a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission accusing Disney of negotiating in bad faith. This is not the first time Disney’s negotiations over programming rights have resulted in a blackout on a pay-TV service. Last year, Disney pulled its channels from Spectrum for 12 days before reaching a resolution just before the start of the Monday Night Football opener.
Overall, the new agreement between DirecTV and Disney is a positive development for subscribers who can now enjoy their favorite channels once again. The deal not only brings back ESPN and ABC to DirecTV but also opens up the possibility of offering Disney’s streaming services in the future. This resolution highlights the importance of reaching fair agreements that benefit both companies and their customers.