Sept 15, V7N - Walt Disney and DirecTV have reached an agreement in principle, restoring access to Disney-owned channels like ABC and ESPN for DirecTV's more than 11 million subscribers after a blackout that began on September 1. The deal will allow DirecTV to offer more flexible programming packages, focusing on specific genres like sports, entertainment, and family content, which aligns with changing consumer preferences in the streaming era. Disney's streaming services—Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+—will also be included in some of these packages.

The programming blackout had impacted DirecTV subscribers' access to major events like college football, the U.S. Open tennis tournament, and ABC's broadcast of the U.S. presidential debate. DirecTV had been losing subscribers during the dispute, but with the new agreement, they can offer more tailored packages similar to Venu Sports, a planned sports streaming service by Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox.

This agreement also ensures DirecTV's distribution rights for ESPN's streaming version when it launches. Disney, in return, has secured improved economic terms, according to sources familiar with the deal. The resolution comes just in time for major events, such as the Emmy Awards, which will air on ABC, a Disney-owned network.

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