DirecTV is trying to revamp pay-TV rules in Disney talks, Bloomberg News reports from Reuters

(Reuters) – Walt Disney (NYSE: ) Co is in talks with pay-TV provider DirecTV to renew a contract that could result in the blocking of channels like ABC and ESPN as early as Sept. 1 unless a deal is reached between them, Bloomberg reported Monday news. .

Satellite TV provider DirecTV is looking to ease contractual terms that have traditionally required cable and satellite distributors to charge customers for channels like ESPN regardless of whether they watch it, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with the discussions.

Instead, DirecTV offers smaller channel packages based on specific genres, such as children’s programming, movies, news, local stations, sports or Spanish content, according to the report.

Disney is open to offering sports-specific packages to other distributors, the report said, adding that it is also willing to offer other types of smaller packages and negotiate some minimum guarantees for subscribers.

Disney and DirecTV did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.