DirecTV Looks to Rewrite Pay-TV Rules in Disney Networks Talks

Walt Disney Co. is deep in contract renewal talks with pay-TV provider DirecTV that could see channels like ABC and ESPN blacked out as early as Sept. 1 if the two sides don’t reach an agreement, according to people familiar with the discussions.

DirecTV is looking to ease contract terms that have long required cable and satellite-TV distributors to charge customers for channels like Disney’s ESPN, whether they watch them or not, according to the people, who have asked to not be identified because the discussions aren’t public.