Charter adds Disney+ ad tier to pay TV bundle for free in landmark deal

The Disney+ ad-supported tier will be included in Charter Communications’ pay TV offering for no additional cost in a new landmark deal. 

As part of the partnership between the media giant and pay TV provider, the Disney+ Basic plan will be available for customers for free nationwide via Charter’s Spectrum TV Select package.

The new carriage agreement reached in September 2023 after a 10-day blackout of Disney channels on Charter platforms starting in August. Many saw the dispute marked the looming end game for the US pay-TV market. In the deal 19 Disney channels returned to Charter’s Spectrum, with eight channels dropped.

Disney+ features titles across its Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic brands. Charter’s pay TV offering will also include extended access to ESPN+ via its Spectrum TV Select Plus video package in the coming months. ESPN+ hosts more than 30,000 exclusive, live sports events, including exclusive UFC events, NHL live games, PGA Tour, Grand Slam tennis and international cricket.

“With the launch of the Disney+ Basic offer, TV Select customers can now enjoy access to Disney’s popular streaming content as well as their high-quality linear TV channels, all included as part of one video package,” said Tom Montemagno, executive vice president of programming acquisition for Charter. “As the video industry continues to evolve, we are committed to including direct-to-consumer apps like Disney+ with Spectrum services while providing a simplified TV viewing experience through platforms such as the Xumo Stream Box. We are pleased to partner with Disney to further this goal to the benefit of our mutual customers.”

“The inclusion of Disney+ alongside a curated lineup of our TV channels brings the best of both worlds from Disney’s unrivaled entertainment portfolio to Charter’s video customers,” added Justin Connolly, President, Platform Distribution, The Walt Disney Company. “Our goal has always been to meet consumers where they are, and these collective offerings will maximize value for Spectrum TV Select customers while simultaneously broadening the audience of our advertiser supported streaming services.”