Disney, DirecTV reach agreement in time for college football Week 3

Ahead Saturday's packed college football schedule, The Walt Disney Co. and DirecTV have reached an agreement to return ESPN and other Disney-owned channels to the TV provider's systems.

Two weeks ago, ESPN, the Disney Channel, FX and other Disney-owned channels went dark on DirecTV, DirecTV Stream and U-Verse TV systems, when DirecTV's five-year contract with Disney ran out. That meant about 11 million subscribers to DirecTV's systems were unable to watch those channels and others including ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPNU, ESPN News, ACC Network, SEC Network, Disney Junior, and National Geographic.

Also not carried due to the blackout: eight Disney-owned ABC stations including channels in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco. And because of streaming contracts, all ABC affiliates are blacked out on DirecTV Stream.

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Terms of the agreement, announced by both companies Saturday morning, were not given. However, some conditions were including DirecTV's ability to include Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ in some plans and in "genre-specific" programming packages including sports, entertainment and kids/family.

DirecTV also will be able to include upcoming ESPN's direct-to-consumer streaming service to its subscribers at no extra cost.

“Through this first-of-its-kind collaboration, DIRECTV and Disney are giving customers the ability to tailor their video experience through more flexible options," the companies said in a joint statement. "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.”

DirecTV had entered negotiations seeking the ability to offer "smaller, more tailored packages at prices" that don't require all of a content provider's channels into "fat bundles," Rob Thun, DirecTV's chief content officer, said in a Aug. 21, 2024 blog post.

The agreement "will integrate traditional linear television with direct-to-consumer streaming options to better meet consumer needs and interests," DirecTV said in a statement sent to USA TODAY. The TV company said it hoped to have new "more flexible and lower-priced genre-based options" available in 2025.

"We appreciate our customers’ patience as we negotiated this challenging but vital agreement, which now provides them more flexibility and choice within a seamless entertainment experience," DirecTV said.

Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider. Email him at [email protected].

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