MUMBAI: After multiple rounds of negotiations, Walt Disney and Time Warner Cable have struck a deal that will keep channels such as ABC and ESPN on the air.

The agreement to work together on web distribution is a first for Disney that has so far avoided services that ask cable subscribers to provide identification or authentication.
 
The two entities have been negotiating the fees that Time Warner Cable pays to carry Disney‘s programming outlets. Though the terms weren’t disclosed, the deal was struck with a broad commitment by Disney to provide a range of new ESPN content like Disney movies and ABC programming along with online access in return for bigger fees.

Viewers will also be able to watch ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU on broadband or mobile devices such as the iPad. 
 
For sports fans, the deal provides a bonanza. ESPN3.com, an online-only sports network, will be provided to Time Warner Cable subscribers who pay to get ESPN.
The two parties did not disclose when the content would be available.

Though their previous contract expired at midnight yesterday, they reached the new deal without any programming disruptions.