Verizon Comes Close to Dumping Disney Channels

Verizon customers can continue to watch ESPN, ABC, and other channels owned by Disney after the two companies announced a deal over programming fees, the AP reports. The telecommunications giant and the entertainment company say in a joint statement Sunday: "Verizon and The Walt Disney Company have reached a broad-based distribution agreement." The statement says details will be released in the coming days. The companies faced a Dec. 31 deadline. Without an agreement, Verizon's Fios network would have stopped carrying Disney channels. (Disney played a role in holding back next week's copyright bonanza.)