Disney extends Mediacom, NCTC carriage deals
August 23, 2021
Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution and Mediacom Communications Corporation have announced a new comprehensive agreement to continue to deliver Disney’s line-up of sports, news, kids, family and general entertainment content to Mediacom customers in the US.
As part of the distribution agreement, Mediacom will now offer the ACC Network to its subscriber base, allowing fans and followers of the Atlantic Coast Conference to access the multiplatform network beginning this September. The multi-year deal also reaffirms the companies’ mutual commitment to enhance the customer experience by delivering video content to viewers across multiple platforms.
In addition to the ACC Network, Mediacom will continue to make Disney’s networks available to their customers including the ESPN networks, the Disney branded channels, Freeform, the FX networks and the National Geographic channels, as well as retransmission consent for the ABC Owned Television Stations.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to extend our long-standing relationship with Mediacom and continue to supply Disney’s best-in-class programming from our suite of networks,” said Sean Breen, Executive Vice President, Platform Distribution, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution. “With Mediacom’s strong presence in key markets, the addition of the ACC Network and its extensive offerings of live sporting events will add tremendous value for their customers.”
“Since Mediacom’s inception over 25 years ago, it has been our mission to serve our customers with state-of-the-art technology and expansive content,” said Italia Commisso Weinand, Mediacom’s EVP of Programming and Human Resources. “We are proud and honored to continue our relationship with the Disney organisation that shares this same commitment to quality and innovation.”
Additionally, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution and the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC) have also announced a new, multi-year distribution agreement.
The comprehensive distribution agreement between the parties also includes the ability to market the streaming services Disney+ and ESPN+, joining Hulu which is already available to some operators. NCTC member operators will be able to link their customers directly to the Disney+ and ESPN+ websites where new subscribers can sign up.
In addition to the ACC Network, NCTC member operators will continue to make Disney’s networks available including the ESPN networks, the Disney branded channels, Freeform, the FX networks and the National Geographic channels, as well as retransmission consent for the ABC Owned Television Stations.
“Our new deal with the NCTC will allow member operators to continue serving their customers across the country by delivering Disney’s robust and expansive portfolio of networks, which includes the addition of the ACC Network,” said Sean Breen, Executive Vice President, Platform Distribution, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution. “We’re incredibly pleased that the agreement will also now give their members’ customers direct access to our collection of streaming services.”
“Our member operators are committed to providing their customers with the programming they want to watch on the platform they prefer. Disney has been a valued partner over the years, and we are pleased to now expand that partnership to include access to premium streaming bundles on Disney’s multiple platforms,” said Judy Meyka, Executive Vice President, Programming, NCTC. “Our focus continues to be on making quality programming available to members in a manner that allows them flexibility to serve the needs of their customers.”