ESPN, ACC Network agree to greater distribution deal

ESPN and the ACC Network have agreed to a greater distribution deal, per ESPN. ESPN and Disney released a press release through its public relations Twitter account announcing the deal with the little-known National Cable Television Cooperative.

“Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution and the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC) announce comprehensive multi-year distribution agreement which includes ACC Network and direct access to Disney+ and ESPN+ for NCTC members’ customers,” @ESPNPR’s tweet read.

Beginning September 1, NCTC member operators will now offer the ACC Network to their customers.

The NCTC represents more than 7,000 small and mid-sized independent cable and broadband operators.

The deal includes Disney Plus, ESPN+, ESPN networks, Disney-branded networks, Freeform, FX, National Geographic and retransmission of the ABC-owned television stations.

Earlier this month, Disney Media & Entertainment and Mediacom announced a multi-year agreement, which includes Disney’s lineup of sports content. The agreement made ACC Network available to Mediacom Communications Corporation subscribers.

But what about Xfinity?

At the time, On3’s Pete Nakos reported the “big target for the conference is landing Comcast Xfinity.”

With ESPN and ACC Network agreeing to a greater distribution deal, Comcast Xfinity is now left out, despite having a huge footprint in the east coast, where the majority of the ACC schools are.

Previously, ACC commissioner Jim Phillips had stated he had hoped to come to an agreement with Xfinity and other cable providers.

“We’re hopeful to come to an agreement with these cable providers that aren’t carrying the network, and that’s anytime between now through the end of the year,” Phillips said to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution at the ACC Kickoff media event.

Comcast’s contract with Disney is up at the end of 2021. The company is expected to sign a new deal with Disney, and had been expected to pick up the ACC Network in the process.

Between the deal with NCTC and Mediacom, the ACC has greatly expanded distribution. In addition to the more than 7000 independent cable and broadband operators nationwide that will now carry the ACC Network, Mediacom’s largest markets are throughout the Midwest, including Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota.

What’s ahead for the ACC Network

Expanding the ACC Network’s reach is important for the ACC brand and TV revenue distribution to member institutions. 

But it’s also valuable because of the ACC’s current television contract. The deal currently only distributes roughly $17 million per school. Unless the league adds Notre Dame or joins a mega-conference in realignment, it will be last in Power Five revenue until it expires in 2026.