In a welcome development for nearly 15 million Spectrum cable subscribers, Disney and Charter Communications have reached a resolution, effectively ending a commercial standoff that left viewers without access to a range of Disney programming.
The deadlock between Disney and Charter, the parent company of Spectrum, initially unfolded on September 1 when Disney-owned channels, including ABC and ESPN, were abruptly pulled from Spectrum’s channel lineup. The root cause of this disruption was the failure of the two conglomerates to reach an agreement on what are commonly referred to as “carriage fees.” These fees constitute payments that cable and satellite-TV operators remit to media companies in exchange for the privilege of broadcasting their networks. Charter alleged that Disney was requesting an “excessive increase” in these fees, thus initiating the standoff.
While the financial details of the newly forged deal remain undisclosed, its culmination was perfectly timed just hours before the scheduled airing of the Monday Night Football game between the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills, which were set to be broadcast on ABC and ESPN on September 11.
In a joint statement, Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, and Charter’s CEO, Chris Winfrey, expressed their satisfaction with the accord. They stated, “This deal recognizes both the continued value of linear television and the growing popularity of streaming services while addressing the evolving needs of our consumers.”
Among the Disney-owned channels that were temporarily unavailable to Spectrum customers during the standoff were the Disney Channel, National Geographic, FX, and local ABC stations, as well as the SEC Network. However, in light of the deal announced on Monday, Spectrum subscribers will no longer have access to Baby TV, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Freeform, FXM, FXX, Nat Geo Wild, and Nat Geo Mundo.
In addition to the restoration of these channels, the new agreement comes with some enticing perks for Spectrum customers. They will now have the option to purchase Disney+, Hulu, or The Disney Bundle directly through Charter. Specifically, those who opt for the Spectrum TV Select Plus package will find the basic version of Disney+ included in their subscription. Moreover, Spectrum TV Select Plus subscribers will gain access to ESPN+ and ESPN’s standalone streaming service, which is set to launch in the near future.
This resolution brings relief to the millions of Spectrum cable customers who were left in the dark due to the standoff between Disney and Charter Communications. With the return of beloved Disney-owned channels and enticing streaming options, viewers can once again enjoy their favorite content seamlessly.