New television deal puts ESPN back on Spectrum in time for ‘Monday Night Football’
The Disney Corporation and Charter Communications, which owns Spectrum cable, announced Monday they have reached an agreement on a new contract.
“The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) and Charter Communications (NASDAQ: CHTR) today announced a transformative, multiyear distribution agreement that maximizes value for consumers and supports the linear TV experience as the industry continues to evolve,” said ESPN, which is owned by Disney, in a press release. “As part of the deal, the majority of Disney’s networks and stations will be immediately restored to Spectrum’s video customers.
“In a joint statement, Robert A. Iger, CEO, The Walt Disney Company, and Chris Winfrey, CEO, Charter Communications, said: “Our collective goal has always been to build an innovative model for the future. 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. We also want to thank our mutual customers for their patience this past week and are pleased that Spectrum viewers once again have access to Disney’s high-quality sports, news and entertainment programming, in time for ‘Monday Night Football.’”
The two sides had been at odds since their contract expired Aug. 31. That meant that the first two weeks of the college football season and the first Sunday of the NFL regular season were unavailable to Charter/Spectrum customers.
Kentucky fans who were Spectrum customers were not able to watch Kentucky football’s opening game Sept. 2 against Ball State.
The New York Jets and new quarterback Aaron Rodgers play host to the Buffalo Bills at 8:15 p.m. Monday on ABC and ESPN.
Among the key points of the new deal, according the press release:
▪ In the coming months, the Disney+ Basic ad-supported offering will be provided to customers who purchase the Spectrum TV Select package, as part of a wholesale arrangement.
▪ ESPN+ will be provided to Spectrum TV Select Plus subscribers.
▪ The ESPN flagship direct-to-consumer service will be made available to Spectrum TV Select subscribers when it launches.
▪ Charter will maintain flexibility to offer a range of video packages at varying price points based upon different customer viewing preferences.
Also, according to the release:
“Charter will also use its significant distribution capabilities to offer Disney’s direct-to-consumer services to all its customers — in particular its large broadband-only customer base — for purchase at retail rates. These include Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+, as well as The Disney Bundle.
“Effective immediately, Spectrum TV will provide its customers widespread access to a more curated lineup of 19 networks from The Walt Disney Company. Spectrum will continue to carry the ABC Owned Television Stations, Disney Channel, FX and the Nat Geo Channel, in addition to the full suite of ESPN networks. Networks that will no longer be included in Spectrum TV video packages are Baby TV, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Freeform, FXM, FXX, Nat Geo Wild and Nat Geo Mundo.
“To preserve all these valuable business models, the parties have also renewed their commitment to lead the industry in mitigating the effects of unauthorized password sharing.”
This story was originally published September 11, 2023 at 1:41 PM.
