Disney, ESPN networks restored for DirecTV customers ahead of college football weekend

Disney channels, including the ESPN networks, are available for DirecTV and AT&T U-Verse customers after a 13-day blackout.

DirecTV, which is owned by AT&T, and Disney settled their contract dispute and restored service on Saturday morning. The companies reached the deal before another weekend of college football, NFL and the Emmy Awards.

“Through a first-of-its-kind collaboration, DirecTV and Disney are giving customers the ability to tailor their video experience through more flexible options,” the companies said in a joint statement. “DirecTV and Disney have a long-standing history of connecting consumers to the best entertainment, and this agreement furthers that commitment by recognizing both the tremendous value of Disney’s content and the evolving preferences of DirecTV’s customers.

“We’d like to thank all affected viewers for their patience and are pleased to restore Disney’s entire portfolio of networks in time for college football and the Emmy Awards this weekend.”

N.C. State’s game on Saturday against Louisiana Tech will be broadcast on ACC Network at noon. North Carolina and Duke’s football games will be available on ACCNX.

The agreement restores Disney’s full portfolio to DirecTV, including ABC-owned television stations, ESPN, Disney-branded networks, FX, Freeform and National Geographic channels.

It includes three new facets to the partnership. The deal allows DirecTV to create genre-specific packages — sports, entertainment, kids and family — that includes the broadcast networks, Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+. This was a major point of contention that led to the blackout.

The carrier sought “a new agreement with Disney that will return value to pay TV consumers by providing the same flexibility that Disney affords itself with access to quality content across both linear and direct-to-consumer.”

Disney’s streaming services will be included in select DirecTV packages, but they will still be available on an individual subscription basis.

DirecTV can distribute its upcoming direct-to-consumer ESPN service at no additional cost to subscribers.