Part 4/11:
Fast forward to this week, and a breakthrough has been announced. Charter Spectrum will now offer Disney+ at no additional cost to its cable subscribers as part of a landmark agreement. Specifically, Spectrum will include Disney+ in its "$60 per month" Spectrum TV Select package, with Disney paying a wholesale rate to Disney for the service.
This move represents a dramatic shift—Disney initially refused all such deals but has now capitulated, allowing its streaming service to be bundled directly into cable packages for the first time. This is a significant development because it alters Disney’s traditional direct-to-consumer (DTC) model by integrating streaming content into cable offerings, potentially reaching millions who might not otherwise subscribe directly to Disney+.