DirecTV, Disney settle network dispute, restore service after signing new long-term deal

Another lengthy network dispute has come to an end, with Disney and DirecTV coming to an agreement.

The new long-term deal settles a spat that left more than 11 million DirecTV subscribers without access to Disney networks for 13 days. Service was restored Saturday before the first college football games kicked off.

A Disney release sent out Saturday morning outlined some of the conditions of the deal, including the return of Disney-owned channels like ABC, ESPN, Disney, Freeform, FX and more, per Puck’s John Ourand.

Additionally, DirecTV will offer multiple specific “skinny” bundles related to Disney networks, such as a sports bundle, an entertainment bundle, a kids and family bundle, plus the Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ bundle. The ability to create these smaller, genre-specific bundles was one of the sticking points that led to the blackout, per CNBC.

The blackout began Sept. 1, with Disney networks going dark on DirecTV’s service as contract negotiations went sour. The blackout left DirecTV subscribers unable to watch several big events to start the season, including the US Open, the first two weeks of college football and the first kickoff of the NFL’s Monday Night Football.

Initially, the two companies failed to agree on terms for the deal but were able to settle things Saturday in time for a busy sports weekend. Disney-affiliated networks (including ABC, ESPN and ESPN+) will be broadcasting more than 30 college football games Saturday; Monday Night Football will feature the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles.

Disney had a similar dispute with Charter Spectrum last September, leaving subscribers (and tennis players) unable to watch events like the US Open, but resolved the issue after 12 days.