Millions of DirecTV customers lose access to ESPN, ABC, other Disney-owned channels

A dispute between Disney and DirecTV dispute has left over 11 million without access to key US channels just before crucial presidential election debates and the kick-off of the NFL season.

DirecTV, a satellite TV provider, and entertainment behemoth Disney blame each other for the sudden blackout, which started midway through ESPN’s broadcast of the US Open tennis tournament.

According to DirecTV, Disney is prioritizing its own streaming services by shifting top content exclusively to its own platforms, leaving broadcast networks with cheaper content.

“Consumer frustration is at an all-time high as Disney shifts its best producers, most innovative shows, top teams, conferences, and entire leagues to their direct-to-consumer services while making customers pay more than once for the same programming on multiple Disney platforms," said Rob Thun, chief content officer at DirectTV.

According to the satellite TV provider, Disney prevents it from offering users more flexible packages, forcing the company to offer bundles that customers don’t want to watch.

Meanwhile, Disney claims that DirecTV “declined a fair, marketplace-based agreement with The Walt Disney Company.”

“While we’re open to offering DirecTV flexibility and terms which we’ve extended to other distributors, we will not enter into an agreement that undervalues our portfolio of television channels and programs. […] We urge DirecTV to do what’s in the best interest of their customers and finalize a deal that would immediately restore our programming,” said Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, co-chairmen, Disney Entertainment, and Jimmy Pitaro, chairman, ESPN.

According to Reuters, the deal, which expired on Sunday, was negotiated in 2019.