After a two-week blackout, ESPN and other Disney-owned channels are back on DirecTV as The Walt Disney Company and DirecTV released a joint statement on Saturday announcing that they are finalizing a new contract, restoring all previously affected channels like ABC, Freeform, FX, and National Geographic. Disney had yanked its networks off DirecTV at the beginning of September when the two companies failed to reach an agreement before their old contract expired, coinciding inconveniently with the start of football season. The new multi-year contract brings Disney’s full linear suite of networks back to DirecTV, offering package options for genre-focused channel bundles and Disney’s streaming services like Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Customers will also get ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer service for free, expected to launch this fall. Disney and DirecTV emphasized that the new deal provides more flexible options for customers to tailor their video experience, expressing gratitude for their patience and satisfaction in restoring Disney’s entire portfolio of networks just in time for college football and the Emmy Awards.
