Charter Communications and Disney Entertainment failed to reach a new carriage agreement, resulting in Spectrum subscribers losing access to ESPN, FX, Freeform, the Disney Channel, and several ABC channels, affecting approximately 14.7 million subscribers.
Walt Disney and Charter Communications engage in a dispute over distribution agreement, resulting in channels including ESPN going dark for Spectrum cable service, with both companies blaming each other for the issue.
Charter Communications and Disney are engaging in a dispute over programming costs and streaming services, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for the media industry as a whole.
Disney has urged Charter Communications customers to consider switching pay-TV services if they want access to ESPN and other networks, as the carriage dispute between the two companies continues. Disney also highlighted that customers have numerous options, including competing pay-TV providers and TV streaming services.
Disney expresses interest in potentially doing a deal with Charter Communications, but Charter plans to leave the video business and focus on wireless and broadband services, as negotiations with Disney become more contentious and Spectrum customers are referred to FuboTV.
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts expects Disney to exercise its put option to acquire Comcast's minority stake in Hulu, with a likely valuation of just under $30 billion, and believes there will be significant interest from other potential buyers in an auction for the stake.
Charter CEO Chris Winfrey stated that the ongoing carriage fight with Disney could result in a leaner, ESPN-free TV bundle for Spectrum customers, potentially leading to a smaller but more loyal customer base.
Charter Communications' stock has fallen during the dispute with Walt Disney, but one analyst believes it is a buy.
Charter Communications and Disney are expected to reach a deal ahead of "Monday Night Football" that would end the blackout dispute, allowing Charter cable customers to watch the game.
Walt Disney Co. and Charter Communications have reached an agreement that restores Disney channels to Charter's pay-TV service, with Charter gaining the ability to offer Disney's ad-supported streaming apps and Disney programming having access to Charter's television service, preserving the cable bundle for now.
Disney and Spectrum cable operator Charter have reached a new carriage deal, ending the ten-day blackout of Disney channels and allowing Spectrum subscribers to watch Monday Night Football on ESPN.
The new carriage agreement between Disney and Charter Communications is seen as a win for both parties, with Disney gaining additional revenue through new distribution channels and Charter saving on unwanted linear networks. However, there are concerns about the impact on the broader entertainment industry and the future of linear TV.
Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger is considering options for the company's traditional broadcast and cable businesses, including the potential sale of ABC, as streaming services and declining viewership threaten the future of linear TV.
