Spectrum, Disney reach deal to bring back most channels

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 September 2023 at 1:03 pm

Agreement avoids Monday Night Football blackout for Bills-Jets game

Most of the Disney channels will be back on Spectrum for the 1.5 million customers in the state.

The Walt Disney Company and Charter Communications today announced a multi-year distribution agreement. As part of the deal, the majority of Disney’s networks and stations will be immediately restored to Spectrum’s video customers, the companies announced in a joint statement.

Gov. Kathy Hochul praised the new deal, which is time for Spectrum customers to see the Buffalo Bills on ESPN for Monday Night Football versus the New York Jets.

“Last week, I made it clear that if you pay for your cable bill, you deserve to get the services you pay for,” Hochul said in a statement. “I’m pleased that Disney and Charter have resolved their corporate dispute and resumed service for more than 1.5 million New York customers that lost access to ESPN and Disney-owned channels. My Administration will ensure that New Yorkers receive a refund for the days they were without service, holding true to our commitment that we will always prioritize consumer protection.”

Among the key deal points announced by Disney and Carter Communications:

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 upon launch and;
Charter will maintain flexibility to offer a range of video packages at varying price points based upon different customer’s viewing preferences.
Charter also will use its significant distribution capabilities to offer Disney’s direct-to-consumer services to all of 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.

The news release from Disney and Spectrum states that 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 ESPN network suite.

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.