In a much-anticipated resolution, Disney and DirecTV have finally reached an agreement, putting an end to a lengthy network dispute that left over 11 million DirecTV subscribers without access to Disney networks for a grueling 13 days. The service was restored just in time for the start of college football games on Saturday.

According to a statement released by Disney on Saturday morning, the new long-term deal brings back popular Disney-owned channels, such as ABC, ESPN, Disney, Freeform, and FX, among others. A notable provision in the agreement includes DirecTV's commitment to offer several specific "skinny" bundles related to Disney networks. These bundles will cater to different preferences, such as sports, entertainment, and kids and family content. Furthermore, DirecTV subscribers will have access to a bundled offering of Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+.

One of the major sticking points during the negotiations was the ability to create these smaller, genre-specific bundles, as reported by CNBC. This disagreement ultimately led to the blackout that began on September 1st, leaving DirecTV users unable to enjoy key events like the US Open, the initial two weeks of college football, and the first kickoff of Monday Night Football in the NFL.

Fortunately, the two companies were able to find common ground and resolve their differences just in time for a busy sports weekend. The blackout came to an end on Saturday, allowing DirecTV subscribers to tune in to over 30 scheduled college football games and the upcoming Monday Night Football clash between the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles.

This is not the first time Disney has faced a network dispute. Last September, the media giant encountered a similar conflict with Charter Spectrum, causing disruptions for their subscribers. However, they were able to resolve the issue within 12 days.

With the resolution of this dispute between Disney and DirecTV, millions of subscribers can once again enjoy their favorite Disney-owned channels and catch up on the exciting lineup of sporting events. The long wait is finally over, and television screens across the country will be filled with the excitement of college football and Monday Night Football, thanks to the timely intervention and successful negotiations between these two media powerhouses.