More than a week after Disney pulled the plug on its 25 channels for Charter Spectrum users due to a major contract dispute, the two companies have finally reached an agreement.
The crux of the matter
The dispute began when Charter Spectrum, in an effort to control costs, decided to renegotiate its deal with Disney, which would provide access to Disney’s ad-supported streaming services, such as Disney+ and ESPN+, without any additional charges. Although both companies eventually agreed on the financial aspects, they couldn’t come to terms regarding the streaming conditions, ultimately leading Disney to remove all its channels.
However, despite the issue, Disney took steps to ensure that its content remained accessible to viewers. This included introducing a special promotional offer for Hulu + Live TV, available at a discounted rate of $50 per month for three months, down from the regular $70.
What does the new agreement include?
This new agreement aims to address most of these concerns and also offers exclusive benefits to Spectrum users. These benefits include access to the highly-anticipated standalone ESPN streaming service, set to launch in the near future, and access to Disney+’s ad-supported basic tier for Spectrum TV Select subscribers. Additionally, for Spectrum TV Select Plus plan subscribers, the agreement includes access to ESPN+ as part of their package.
Furthermore, this deal will bring back 19 networks, including ABC-owned stations such as the Disney Channel, FX, and the Nat Geo Channel. However, it’s important to note that while many previously available channels have returned, some channels like Baby TV, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Freeform, FXM, FXX, Nat Geo Wild, and Nat Geo Mundo are no longer accessible through the cable service.
“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,” said Disney CEO Robert A. Iger.