In a significant shift for media and distribution partnerships, The Walt Disney Company and Charter Communications announced on July 26, 2025, an expanded agreement that restores Disney’s linear channels and adds streaming services to Spectrum’s offerings. In return for ending a blackout that began in 2023, Spectrum TV Select subscribers will receive ad-supported Hulu at no additional cost, along with access to Disney+ Basic and the upcoming ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming service, expected to launch in fall 2025.
Eight Disney-owned cable networks that were removed during a high-profile carriage dispute in September 2023—including Freeform, FXX, Disney Jr., Disney XD, FXM, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Mundo, and BabyTV—will now be reinstated on Spectrum’s linear lineup. These channels had remained excluded from the earlier 2023 resolution because their content was already widely available through Disney’s streaming platforms.
Under the new terms, all Spectrum TV Select customers will automatically receive Hulu with ads, adding to the already included ad-supported Disney+ and the soon-to-be-launched ESPN streaming tier. Charter and Disney estimate this combination delivers over $100 in monthly retail streaming value, significantly enhancing the appeal of Spectrum’s core television package. Subscribers may also choose to upgrade to ad-free tiers of Hulu and Disney+ if desired. In addition, Charter will offer Disney’s full suite of streaming services, including ESPN’s upcoming platform, to its broadband-only customer base at retail prices.
This agreement signals a strategic pivot for both companies as they aim to blend traditional cable television with the growing demand for streaming. Charter is adapting to the industry-wide shift away from linear television by enhancing its packages with high-value streaming content. The ESPN streaming service, internally referred to as “Flagship,” is expected to launch with two pricing tiers: an $11.99 per month Select plan featuring ESPN+ content and a $29.99 per month Unlimited plan offering full access to ESPN’s linear networks and additional features like customizable SportsCenter feeds.
The updated deal follows a major carriage dispute between the two companies that unfolded in late summer 2023. Disney had pulled all of its networks from Spectrum from August 31 to September 11, affecting millions of viewers. Although most of the channels were restored following an initial agreement, eight niche and family-oriented networks remained off the service as Disney continued to prioritize its streaming platforms. As part of that earlier resolution, Spectrum TV Select subscribers had gained access to Disney+ Basic, while TV Select Plus customers received ESPN+. That deal also gave Charter the right to distribute Disney’s then-upcoming ESPN streaming product once it launched.
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Charter’s Executive Vice President Tom Montemagno called the 2025 agreement a culmination of efforts that began with their 2023 deal, emphasizing the companies’ shared commitment to reshaping how content is delivered to consumers. He said both sides worked creatively to build an arrangement that balances value and access. Sean Breen, Executive Vice President of Platform Distribution for Disney, stated that the expanded collaboration aims to provide “the most robust and valuable combination of linear and streaming entertainment for years to come.”
This updated distribution model is especially relevant as traditional cable providers face increasing pressure from cord-cutting trends and the rise of digital-first platforms. Consumers stand to benefit from broader content access without additional costs, advertisers regain a dual-platform audience, and the companies involved fortify their positions in an evolving media environment.
The integration is expected to begin in late summer 2025, with Hulu access rolling out to all Spectrum TV Select customers. ESPN’s new streaming service is scheduled to launch in the fall and will be automatically available to current ESPN subscribers on Spectrum. Charter will continue marketing Disney’s streaming offerings to its internet-only subscribers, potentially attracting new users who no longer rely on traditional TV.
As Disney and Charter chart a hybrid course between linear and streaming services, the deal could serve as a model for future partnerships across the media industry, redefining how content is bundled and distributed in the digital age.
