Your Kids’ TV Shows & Channels Are Safe as Verizon Reaches Deal with Disney

Oh thank goodness.

By Erica Loop January 2, 2019

Editor’s Update: In an end-of-the-year Hail Mary, Verizon Fios and Disney reached a carriage agreement, that will keep Disney-owned channels, programming, and NYC- and Philadelphia-area local affiliate stations on the air. The deal was reached on Dec. 30, 2018, with specific details of the agreement still forthcoming. Our original story follows below.

The contract between Disney and Verizon Fios expires soon. Based on an email Verizon recently sent to its Fios customers, it looks like things aren’t going well. Representatives from Disney did not immediately return Red Tricycle’s request for comment. So, what does all this mean for your favorite Disney shows and TV channels?

According to a representative from Verizon, “We’re actively negotiating with Disney to reach a fair deal for our customers.” So will you, or won’t you, loose your Disney Media Networks lineup if you’re a Verizon customer? The answer isn’t clear—yet.

https://twitter.com/Mrs_Veissy26/status/1078460974951264256

Along with the email to their customers, Verizon also posted an update on their website regarding the company’s negotiations with Disney. The statement reads in part:

“As you may know, we must periodically renew our agreements with TV content providers to be able to provide you with the programming available on Fios TV. Despite what you may be hearing from Disney, we have been negotiating a renewal agreement to keep their networks, which include those from Disney and ESPN, as well as ABC affiliates in Philadelphia and New York, in our lineup.”

Yep, that’s right. This potential channel loss won’t just affect channels that start with the name “Disney.” Disney’s Fios channels also include ESPN and some local ABC stations. If the two media giants can’t come to an agreement by 5 p.m, Eastern on Dec. 31, 2018, the contract will expire. And yes, that means you may lose some of your fave TV viewing. We’ll keep you posted.

In the meantime, here’s what’s coming to Netflix for kids in January, along with our list of free, full-length movies your kids can watch on YouTube—just in case.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Mojzagrebinfo via Pixabay

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