What Verizon's Doing To Keep ESPN Happy

Walt Disney Co (NYSE: DIS)'s ESPN property appears to be a top priority for cable companies, at least according to a report by the New York Post.

According to the New York Post, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ)'s Fios changed its skinny bundles "in a move seen as an attempt to appease ESPN." Verizon's new bundles allows subscribers to exclude the sports channels from a basic package.

Verizon introduced on Sunday two new TV packages: "Custom TV - Essentials" and "Custom TV - Sports." The first package is targeted towards non-sports fans, while the second package includes ESPN, ESPN2 and local-market regional sports networks.

Under Verizon's new packages, ESPN is featured in one of the two packages, or 60 percent. Previously, ESPN was featured in just two of seven packages, resulting in a lawsuit over an alleged breach of contract.

The New York Post noted that Verizon's new packages could be seen as a "peace offering."

"We are encouraged by the changes that Verizon has made to ‘Custom TV,' " The New York Post quoted ESPN as saying in a statement.