Freeform, FXX, Disney Junior & More Nixed From Spectrum Subscription Plans

Meaghan Darwish
10 Comments
Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, and Charlie Day in 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' Season 16
Patrick McElhenney/FX

While Spectrum’s Disney blackout has been resolved, some changes have occurred in the deal-making process between Charter and the Walt Disney Company.

Although service to ESPN, local ABC stations, FX, and Disney Channel have been restored alongside Nat Geo Channel, several other networks have been left out of the Spectrum TV video packages. Networks no longer included in the packages include Freeform, FXX, Disney Junior, Disney XD, FXM, Baby TV, Nat Geo Wild, and Nat Geo Mundo, according to TV Line.

the simpsons fox

(Credit: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. Artwork © 2020 by Fox Media LLC)

These changes come with their own set of challenges, especially for viewers who enjoy programming on networks like FXX which broadcasts long-running comedy It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia as well as reruns of The Simpsons and Family Guy. Now, if Spectrum subscribers who don’t have Hulu or Disney+ want to watch, they’ll need to rely on local syndication.

As previously reported, Disney-owned networks on Spectrum went dark beginning August 31 when Charter and Disney couldn’t come to an agreement about programming plans for pay-TV subscribers. The stalemate forced many subscribers to make the decision to cut their cable plan and opt for streaming only in the meantime.

Spectrum & Disney Cut Deal Restoring ABC, ESPN, FX & More to Subscribers
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Spectrum & Disney Cut Deal Restoring ABC, ESPN, FX & More to Subscribers

Will this new slate of channels and lack of variety still entice Spectrum customers? Only time will tell. For some viewers, this may come as a welcome change for subscribers who didn’t necessarily view the now-missing channels.

As to the reason behind the since-squashed squabble between Charter and Disney, the cabler wanted Disney to provide access to their streaming services for free to Spectrum subscribers. Ultimately, Disney agreed to provide the ad-supported Disney+ Basic tier to Spectrum customers who purchase the Spectrum TV Select package, while ESPN+ is going to be provided to Spectrum TV Select Plus subscribers.

Meanwhile, Charter is providing credit for Disney content that wasn’t available during the blackout for the past weeks.




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  1. R

    RedBulb

    Freeform and FXX and FX was all I watched I could care less about the rest

    7

  2. O

    OliveFlower

    Not good. FXM was a good movie channel and Freeform was good as well. Will my cable bill decrease due to the loss of programming?

    4

    1. G

      GoldAnchor

      FXM is a Great movie channel!

      Beyond disappointing that saving this channel wasn't part of the negotiation.

      They know people watch it, and now you're gonna have to pay to continue watching it..UGH

  3. G

    GoldBlowdryer

    I could care less about ESPN, but losing FXX hurts. It was the only channel I really watched during the day, and the last place on tv to watch family guy after [Adult Swim] lost broadcast rights. Why in gods name they thought getting rid of this channel was a good idea is beyond me, but as far as I am concerned both parties can suck it for this move.

    1

  4. O

    OrangeMagnet

    This is the beginning of it. You are already seeing cable sell thursday night football to streamers. Less options for cable subscribers as spectrum sells what you have been paying for, so that you can pay for it again! FXX and FXM were mainstays and are now available for more $.Is anyone really surprised?

    1

  5. G

    GreenPretzel

    The only recourse we have as consumers is to cancel our subscriptions immediately! If we all would just bite the bullet & a couple of million of us cancel our subscriptions, trust me, things would change real fast. SO who has the backbone to make a statement? you Americans are weak, get ready to take in the back side until you are brave enough to make a stand against these tyrants!

    Lets Roll!

    1

  6. O

    OrangeScissors

    Will our Plan drop in Price as they dropped my favorite channels!

    1

  7. R

    RedHat

    Typical pay more get less!

    1

  8. B

    BlueProcessor

    Blame Disney not Spectrum for getting less. Disney would have you pay more to keep the same channels.

  9. A

    AJG in Ohio

    I have watched The Fosters and Good Trouble from Episode One to the most recent episode. How am I suppose to watch future episodes of Good Trouble?