Disney, Time Warner reach agreement

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Time Warner Cable Inc. and Walt Disney Co. said they had agreed to new contract terms that would continue programming without disruptions for U.S. viewers.

Industry analysts had expected fireworks or at least a new episode in the public feuding that has marked previous negotiations, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.

Instead, Time Warner Cable Chief Executive Officer Glenn Britt said: "We are pleased to have reached an agreement without any interruption in service."

The two sides did not release details of the new contract, but sources said Disney will be paid 40 cents to 50 cents per month per Time Warner cable subscriber for its ABC offerings. Fees for Disney Channel and ABC Family shows also went up and Disney will keep the right to air its shows on the Internet through ABC.com and Hulu.com, the Journal said.

Time Warner, meanwhile, will be allowed to sell some Disney programming through on-demand platforms, which allows viewers to see a show beyond the confines of network scheduling. Some shows would be available for free, but with the ability to skip advertising disabled, a source close to the negotiations said.