In a major development for media consumers, Disney and DirecTV have reached an agreement in principle on a new carriage deal, bringing an end to the blackout of ABC and ESPN on the satellite provider. The deal is expected to be finalized in the coming days, restoring access to the popular channels for DirecTV subscribers.
Negotiations And Challenges
The previous carriage agreement between Disney and DirecTV expired at the end of September, leading to a blackout of ABC, ESPN, and other Disney-owned channels. Negotiations between the two companies had been ongoing for months, with both sides taking hardline stances on key issues. Disney was seeking higher carriage fees, while DirecTV was pushing for broader distribution rights to its own content.
Impact Of The Blackout
The blackout had a significant impact on DirecTV subscribers, who were unable to watch popular shows like “Monday Night Football” on ESPN and “Grey’s Anatomy” on ABC. The outage also affected DirecTV Now subscribers, who rely on the streaming service for live TV access. Many viewers turned to other streaming services or over-the-air antennas to fill the void.
Details Of The New Deal
The new carriage deal between Disney and DirecTV is expected to provide DirecTV with continued access to ABC, ESPN, and other Disney channels. The agreement also includes provisions for carriage of Disney’s new streaming service, ESPN+, and for the launch of a new streaming bundle that will combine Disney+ and Hulu with ESPN+.
Disney’s Perspective
Disney has welcomed the new deal, saying that it will allow the company to continue to provide high-quality content to DirecTV subscribers. “We are pleased to have reached an agreement with DirecTV that will restore access to our popular channels to their customers,” said a Disney spokesperson.
DirecTV’s Perspective
DirecTV has also expressed satisfaction with the new deal, saying that it will provide its customers with a wide range of programming options. “We are glad to have reached an agreement with Disney that will allow us to continue to offer our customers a variety of choices, including live sports, news, and entertainment,” said a DirecTV spokesperson.
Impact On Consumers
The new carriage deal is expected to have a positive impact on consumers, who will once again be able to watch ABC and ESPN on DirecTV. The deal also provides DirecTV with the opportunity to offer new and innovative streaming services to its customers.
Conclusion
The new carriage deal between Disney and DirecTV is a win-win situation for all parties involved. It restores access to popular channels for DirecTV subscribers, it provides Disney with a continued revenue stream for its content, and it opens the door to new streaming opportunities for DirecTV.
