DirecTV and Disney end blackout, claim they will offer better channel packages

Enlarge / TV camera during a game between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens on December 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (credit: Getty Images | Robin Alam/ISI Photos )

DirecTV and Disney agreed to a new distribution contract on Saturday, ending a two-week blackout during which DirecTV subscribers lost access to ABC, ESPN, and other Disney-owned channels. A joint announcement said the companies reached an agreement in principle and that “Disney’s full linear suite of networks has been restored to DirecTV, DirecTV Stream and U-verse customers while both parties work to finalize a new, multi-year contract.”

While Disney previously accused DirecTV of “undervaluing” its content, DirecTV said during the blackout that it was seeking flexibility to sell slimmed-down channel packages that don’t force customers to buy channels they don’t want. The joint announcement of the resolution said the new deal “provides greater choice, value, and flexibility to [the companies’] mutual customers.”

The deal includes ABC and ESPN networks, Disney-branded channels, Freeform, FX networks, and National Geographic channels. DirecTV will be able to “offer multiple genre-specific options—sports, entertainment, kids & family—inclusive of Disney’s linear networks along with Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+,” the companies said.