Disney and DirecTV have struck a deal in principle, following a two-week blackout, ensuring ESPN airs this weekend’s college football, the Emmys, and Monday Night Football.
As part of the agreement, DirecTV will introduce genre-based bundles for sports, entertainment, kids, and family, featuring Disney’s networks alongside Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Additionally, DirecTV will offer its customers Disney’s upcoming ESPN streaming service for free when it launches.
Furthermore, Select DirecTV packages will now include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, which will also be available as standalone options. DirecTV will continue to carry Disney’s entertainment, sports, and news programming, including ABC Owned Television Stations, ESPN networks, Disney channels, Freeform, FX, and National Geographic, under market-based terms. Although the multi-year contract is still being finalized, Disney’s channels have been fully restored for DirecTV customers as part of the new agreement.
The companies said, in a joint statement, “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.”
Notably, Disney has granted DirecTV’s request for genre-based bundles, however, pricing and penetration targets are still unknown.