Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Jim Quist @ACCTheQ –
Here’s a possible answer to your question regarding Comcast and the ACC Network. One word. Hulu. We’ll get to that in a moment. The negotiations for the television carriage renewal between Disney and Comcast appear to be coming along just fine, according to MoffettNathanson. If Comcast continues to carry all of the content (including ESPN) that was included in the original contract without talk of blackouts all is well. That’s according to reporting by Jon Lafayette and Daniel Frankel at Next TV. As I noted in an earlier column, because the ACC Network was added later, Comcast wasn’t in a rush to add it to the original deal. The main point, not to pay Disney any more than they were already. After all, the contract was coming up for negotiation so there was no rush. But, it’s that big fish that seems to be more of a focus for at least one of the two parties.
Analysts Craig Moffett and Michael Nathanson of MoffettNathanson say the original carriage deal was inked in 2012. It appears to have expired recently on Thursday, September 30. “Every indication is that the two are on good terms,” the analysts said in a report released last Thursday. “If they don’t announce by midnight tonight, no matter. A short — or even not so short — extension to buy more time would be inconsequential.” The congenial negotiations can be tied to the Disney-Comcast partnership in Hulu and what may be an accelerated buy-out time-line by one or both parties.
Hulu
Comcast still owns 33% of Hulu and Disney is obligated to buy those shares by 2024. What may be an influencing factor is that Comcast is in the process of developing Peacock as their streaming platform. One of the things holding them back is the commitment of NBC content to Hulu. Thus, the sooner the buy-out the quicker Comcast gets programming for Peacock. But, this is no small move on the part of either party. An earlier buy-out of Hulu by Disney won’t hit their pocketbooks nearly as hard. It will open the doors for Comcast to get content and a healthy cash flow at the same time. The possibility of this happening is speculation says analyst Craig Moffett. There could be enough dots to provide an answer though, of sorts to Comcast subscribers eager to have the ACC Network.
If both companies are comfortable with a short term extension don’t count on the ACC Network appearing soon. It’s too small of a fish to be worrying over at the moment. Especially when billions of dollars are on the table. The one thing that swings in favor of ACC fans? There may be a business need to close the deal by the end of the year. Sorry, but that may the best that can happen. Or is it?
Looking back at the first media reports regarding the initial carriage deal, they appeared in January of 2012. Will it be January 2022 before Comcast customers can enjoy ACC Network programming? No matter the time-line, next month, December or in the new year, Packer and Durham await. It just might not be in time for football season. Cross your fingers.
Listen To ACC Nation Radio