Disney and DirecTV Race Against Time to Secure Channel Deal as NFL Season Approaches

The Walt Disney Company and DirecTV are rushing to renegotiate their distribution deal before it expires this Sunday, as failure could impact over 11 million DirecTV subscribers' access to ABC and ESPN during critical sporting events like the NFL season and U.S. Open. DirecTV seeks to redesign its offerings for cost-effective options, while Disney proposes sports-centric frameworks. The pay-TV sector faces challenges from declining subscribers and a shift towards streaming, despite live sports being vital for subscriber retention. Disney also collaborates with Fox and Warner Bros Discovery on a new streaming service, Venu Sports, to engage younger viewers.