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Over Labor Day weekend, millions of cable viewers suddenly lost access to Disney-owned channels such as ABC, ESPN, and the Disney Channel. This is where Disney and Charter Spectrum’s dispute began.
A Brief Background On the Disney and Charter Dispute
Credit: National Geographic
READ MORE: Disney Encourages Drastic Measure in Charter/Spectrum Feud
This blackout was caused when the Walt Disney Company and Charter Communications couldn’t reach an agreement, refusing to renew their deal regarding the distribution of content.
Customers subscribed to Charter Spectrum’s cable TV service found themselves unable to watch some highly impactful moments, such as the first weekend of this year’s college football season, which is typically regarded as one of the most-watched live TV events.
Many Charter Spectrum customers raced to cancel their subscriptions, finding only inconveniences and wait times of up to three hours, according to one report.
The Dispute Continues…
Credit: NatGeo
READ MORE: Spectrum Cable Demands That Its Subscribers Fight the Battle With Disney Themselves
As the dispute continued, the Walt Disney Company and Charter Communications were seemingly at an impasse, each company blaming the other for the situation.
Meanwhile, millions of consumers found themselves unable to watch channels and events (such as upcoming Monday Night Football and Disney entertainment) that they had already paid for.
It’s easy to forget that Disney channels extend farther than the children’s Disney Channel programming; nowadays, the Walt Disney Company owns everything from National Geographic to ABC.
Changes Are Reportedly Coming
Earlier this morning, theme park reporter Scott Gustin sent a post on social media, reporting that Disney and Charter were incredibly close to reaching a new deal:
NEW: Disney and Charter Spectrum are reportedly nearing a carriage deal that would end the blackout of ESPN, ABC, and The Disney Channel, and more. The reported deal comes hours before the kickoff of Monday Night Football.
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) September 11, 2023
READ MORE: Spectrum Cable Just Handed Disney All of Its Angry Subscribers
Mere hours later, the deal was officially announced in a joint statement by both the Walt Disney Company CEO (Bob Iger) and the Charter Communications CEO (Chris Winfrey):
Confirmed: Disney and Charter reach "multiyear distribution agreement."
What's new: All TV subscribers will get Disney+ Basic ad-supported. ESPN+ included with Spectrum TV Select Plus.
Dropped from Spectrum: Disney Junior, Disney XD, Freeform and more. pic.twitter.com/J3Lf47tE5E
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) September 11, 2023
The two relayed in their joint statement:
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.
Now that the Walt Disney Company and Charter Communications have finally reached a new deal, some changes will be made in the coming months.
What Exactly Will Be Changing?
Credit: Disney/ Canva
READ MORE: Disney Drops Disney+ Subscription Fee by 75% Amid Cable TV Wars
One of the most notable changes includes a new bundle: customers who purchase the Spectrum TV Select Package will earn the Disney+ Basic ad-supported option.
Not only that, but ESPN+ will also be provided to customers subscribing to Spectrum TV Select Plus.
Immediate changes include restored access to nearly 20 different Disney networks, including the Disney Channel, FX, the Nat Geo Channel, and “the full suite of ESPN networks.” However, some networks will no longer be available for Spectrum TV subscribers, such as Disney Junior, Disney XD, Freeform, FXX, FXM, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Mundo, and Baby TV.
