The Walt Disney Company and cable/satellite provider DIRECTV (including U-verse) have reached a principle agreement that sees the return of Disney’s linear networks restored immediately to the carrier’s 11 million customers, it was announced on Saturday. The deal ends a 13-day standoff between Disney and DIRECTV that began on Sunday, September 1.
As part of the agreement, Disney’s entertainment, sports and news programming from its comprehensive linear portfolio of networks will continue being carried by DIRECTV but at market-based terms. This includes the ABC Owned Television Stations, the array of ESPN networks, the Disney-branded channels, Freeform, the FX networks and the National Geographic channels.
Reportedly, the deal offers an opportunity that offers 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+) will be included in select DIRECTV packages under a wholesale agreement and made available on an a la carte basis. Meanwhile, DIRECTV’s right to distribute Disney’s upcoming ESPN flagship direct-to-consumer service is being granted at platform launch at no additional cost to the provider’s customers.
“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.”
In the early stages of the dispute, DIRECTV offered a $30 credit to customers who signed up to rivals Sling TV or Fubo, while Disney shared a list of alternate carriage providers, including its Hulu + Live TV service, among others.
Despite the blackout, ESPN saw some of its best season opening ratings for “Monday Night Football” on Monday, September 9, averaging 20.5 million viewers across ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes, and NFL+. The San Francisco 49ers beat the New York Jets 32-19. The game became the second-most-watched Week 1 matchup in the 19 seasons since ESPN began airing the sports franchise (2006–present, 34 games*).
This year’s game topped the 2022 matchup between the Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks which ranked third among week 1 matchups, averaging 19.8 million viewers. The 2023 game between the Buffalo Bills at New York Jets remains the most watched overall with 22.7 million viewers.
Jeff Lipsky/ABC
At ABC, the network did see a dent in its daytime lineup with “The View,” “GMA3: What You Need to Know” and “General Hospital” each attracting their lowest audiences ever for a season opener. The principle deal between Disney and DIRECTV should not only improve things going forward for the network, but it also gives the network’s coverage of “The 76th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards” on Sunday, September 15 a fighting chance to improve upon recent Emmy broadcasts, particularly last year’s telecast which received record low viewership on FOX.
Note*: There have been 34 Week 1 games on ESPN platforms due to doubleheaders in most seasons.