ESPN and Major Disney Channels Removed from DirecTV

ESPN and several other Disney-owned channels, including ABC, FX, and National Geographic, went dark on DirecTV starting Sunday evening. This was due to an impasse in carriage agreement negotiations between Disney and DirecTV, resulting in the removal of these channels from the DirecTV platform.

• ESPN went off the air on DirecTV at 7:20 PM ET on Sunday
• ABC-owned stations in major markets like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago were also blacked out
• Other channels affected include Freeform, FX, and National Geographic

Timing Disrupts Major Sporting Events

The timing of the blackout was particularly disruptive for sports fans, as it occurred during the US Open tennis tournament and the first full weekend of college football season.

• ESPN was showing the US Open when it went dark on DirecTV
• The blackout happened just before the start of the LSU vs USC college football game
• The US Tennis Association expressed disappointment over fans missing US Open coverage

Carriage Dispute and Negotiations

The blackout stems from failed negotiations between Disney and DirecTV over a new carriage agreement. The two sides were unable to reach a deal before the previous agreement expired.

• DirecTV accused Disney of demanding excessive profits and control
• Disney claimed it offered flexible terms but DirecTV undervalued their programming
• DirecTV cited consumer frustration over Disney moving content to streaming services

Impact on Subscribers and Sports Fans

The blackout has angered sports fans and DirecTV subscribers, who took to social media to express their frustration at missing major sporting events and channels they pay for.

• DirecTV has 11.3 million subscribers affected by the blackout
• Sports fans missed portions of the US Open and college football games
• Both sides urged the other to finalize a deal to restore service

Ongoing Disputes Between Networks and Distributors

This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between networks and distributors over content and pricing models.

• Distributors want à la carte channel options instead of bundles
• Networks are moving premium content to streaming services first
• Disagreements over fair pricing and value of programming persist