Verizon, Disney Avert Bowl-Day Blackout With Contract Extension
Millions of TV customers from Boston to Washington were spared the loss of channels such as ESPN — and popular college football bowl games — after Verizon Communications Inc. and Walt Disney Co. reached a broad distribution agreement on the eve of the new year.
(Bloomberg) — Millions of TV customers from Boston to Washington were spared the loss of channels such as ESPN — and popular college football bowl games — after Verizon Communications Inc. and Walt Disney Co. reached a broad distribution agreement on the eve of the new year.
A contract between Verizon, which serves some 4.6 million customers under the Fios brand, and Disney, a major TV network owner, was set to expire at 5 p.m. New York time on Dec. 31. Disney had run ads on its channels warning viewers — including ABC audiences in New York and Philadelphia — that they may lose access and to contact Verizon to complain.
The companies have reach a broad-based distribution agreement and details will be released in coming days, Verizon spokeswoman Adria Tomaszewski said.
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To contact the editors responsible for this story: Nick Turner at nturner7@bloomberg.net, Kevin Miller, Matthew G. Miller
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