Since its launch in 2019, ACC Network has slowly added distribution from A variety of major carriersAnd linear and flow both.
One major transfer deal remained, though: Comcast, whose cable platform has remained without a network despite a large presence throughout the ACC regional area. This continued throughout the football season, much to the chagrin of some Comcast subscribers. This is set to change in the coming weeks, thanks to a broader content deal struck across the company announced today.
Along with the ACC Network finally being available to Xfinity customers (just in time to play conference basketball), the arrangement also keeps the SEC Network available for years to come, along with plenty of non-sports distribution extensions. From the joint announcement:
Comcast and The Walt Disney Company announced today that the two companies have renewed their content transfer agreement and will continue to make Disney’s robust suite of sports entertainment, news, kids, family and general entertainment programming available to Xfinity TV customers. In addition, Comcast will distribute the ACC Network to its Xfinity clients, allowing Atlantic Coast fans and followers to access the multi-platform network in the coming weeks.
The multi-year agreement includes the ongoing distribution of Disney’s cable channels, including ESPN Networks, Disney-branded channels, Freeform, FX Networks, and National Geographic channels. The renewal also includes SEC’s ongoing distribution, now in its eighth season, as well as rebroadcast approval for ABC-owned television stations in New York (ABC7/WABC-TV), Chicago (ABC7/WLS-TV), Philadelphia (6ABC/WPVI-TV), San Francisco (ABC7/KGO-TV), Houston (ABC13/KTRK-TV), Raleigh Durham (ABC11/WTVD-TV) and Fresno (ABC30/KFSN-TV). Earlier this year, Comcast launched Disney+ and ESPN+ for Xfinity customers and those services are still available.
In the corporate comments section of the release, Disney focused on the college math side of the equation specifically:
“We are very pleased to have reached this comprehensive agreement with Disney to continue providing Xfinity customers with access to their content across our industry-leading platforms,” said Rebecca Hebb, Senior Vice President of Consumer Product and Suggestion, Comcast Cable.
“We are thrilled to extend our longstanding relationship with Comcast and continue to provide Xfinity customers with best-in-class Disney programming,” said Shaun Breen, Executive Vice President of Platform Distribution, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution. “In addition to our general news, sports, and entertainment offerings, the launch of the ACC Network in the coming weeks, along with the revamp of the SEC Network, will give Xfinity college sports fans long-awaited access to their favorite games.”
Given how valuable the rights deals for various college leagues are to ESPN at the moment, it’s no surprise that landing this particular beluga whale would be a big deal even with such an extensive content agreement. Whatever might be spun for any huge media company, it’s mostly a good boost to Comcast subscribers who have given up on it for whatever reason and yet still want to be able to watch ACC athletics.
[ESPN PR/image via ESPN]