Verizon, Disney Avert Bowl-Day Blackout With Contract Accord

  • Disney is said to win price increase for its programming
  • Deal shows support for sports networks amid pressure on cable

Pregame ceremonies take place for the College Football Playoff Semifinal between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Oklahoma Sooners at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. 

Photographer: Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

College football won’t go dark on New Year’s Day.

Millions of TV customers from Boston to Washington were spared the loss of channels such as ESPN -- and popular college football games -- after Verizon Communications Inc. and Walt Disney Co. struck a distribution agreement on the eve of the new year.