DirecTV, Disney Agree on Outlines of New Deal That Ends Blackout

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The proposed agreement includes Disney’s full portfolio of networks and direct-to-consumer services as well as ESPN’s direct-to-consumer offering when it launches in 2025

DirecTV
(Image credit: DirecTV)

BURBANK & EL SEGUNDO, Calif.—Over the weekend on Sept. 14, DirecTV and The Walt Disney Company announced that they have reached an agreement in principle for a new distribution deal. The two companies also agreed to restore Disney’s full linear suite of networks, ending a black out that started on Sept. 1, to DirecTV, DirecTV  Stream and U-verse customers while both parties work to finalize a new, multi-year contract.

The new agreement will cover ABC Owned Television Stations, the ESPN networks, the Disney-branded channels, Freeform, the FX networks and the  National Geographic channels as well as Disney’s streaming services and the upcoming ESPN DTC service. 

In a joint statement, the two companies commented: “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.” 

The two companies said they had agreed on these key points: 

  • Continued carriage at market-based terms of Disney’s entertainment, sports and news  programming from its comprehensive linear portfolio, which includes the ABC Owned Television  Stations, the ESPN networks, the Disney-branded channels, Freeform, the FX networks and the  National Geographic channels. 
  • The opportunity to offer multiple genre-specific options -- sports, entertainment, kids & family -- inclusive of Disney’s linear networks along with Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. 
  • Disney’s direct-to-consumer streaming services (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+) to be included in select DirecTV packages under a wholesale agreement, and also to be made available on an a la carte basis.  
  • The rights to distribute Disney’s upcoming ESPN flagship direct-to-consumer service upon its  launch at no additional cost to DirecTV customers. 
George Winslow
George Winslow

George Winslow is the senior content producer for TV Tech. He has written about the television, media and technology industries for nearly 30 years for such publications as Broadcasting & Cable, Multichannel News and TV Tech. Over the years, he has edited a number of magazines, including Multichannel News International and World Screen, and moderated panels at such major industry events as NAB and MIP TV. He has published two books and dozens of encyclopedia articles on such subjects as the media, New York City history and economics.