Disney Gets ACC Network on Spectrum

Charter Communications and Disney have put together a distribution deal that gives the ACC Network a nice cushion to start with — and could cause ripples of change when realignment come back around mid-decade.

The Deal means that when the ACC net signs on next week it will be on Charter ( Spectrum), DirecTV, Verizon Fios, Google Fiber, TVision, Optimum and Suddenlink. Over 40% of Charter’s footprint overlaps with ACC markets. That leaves Comcast and AT&T U-verse as the biggest cable hold outs.

Just as important -- if not moreso -- the network will also be available on such streaming services as YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV and PlayStation Vue,

The deal also calls for the distribution of Disney-owned streaming outlets Disney+, ESPN+ and HULU.

That means the potential of offering the streaming of live sports event or sports networks through your cable box. Disney is looking to have 90 million Disney+ subscribers by 2024 - or just about the time of the next round of realignment.

To get to that number Disney is going to have to build more distribution partnerships in the near future.

As for how it effects the next round of media negotiations — if you think the ACC is not a viable option for Texas in the future think again. If nothing else they are excellent leverage for the administration in upcoming talks.