DirecTV and Disney Reach Deal That Ends ESPN, ABC Blackout

DirecTV customers can again access Disney channels like ESPN and ABC, ending a two-week blackout, the companies said Saturday.

“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,” DirecTV and Disney said in a joint statement.

On Sept. 1, Disney removed all its TV channels from the DirecTV service due to a dispute over licensing agreements. In a statement at the time, DirecTV said “millions of DirecTV, DirecTV Stream and U-verse customers” lost access to Disney programming channels, which include Disney Plus, ESPN, ABC, Hulu, Freeform and FX. DirecTV had 11.3 million subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2023, according to Statista.

The scuffle between Disney and DirecTV was a bit of a replay in regard to football season — last year, on Aug. 31, Spectrum TV viewers suddenly lost access to Disney programming due to another licensing agreement dispute. 

DirectTV customers will now be able to dial in ESPN to catch NFL Monday Night Football games, as well as college gridiron action. They’ll also be able to check out the Emmys on Sunday on Disney’s ABC broadcast network, to watch top nominees Shōgun and The Bear duke it out with all the rest of the shows.

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