Directv Espn: Everything To Know

On September 1, 2024, millions of DirecTV customers were left without access to ESPN and other Disney-owned channels due to a contract dispute between DirecTV and The Walt Disney Company¹². The blackout affected over 11 million subscribers, just as the college football season and the U.S. Open tennis tournament were in full swing²³.

Channels Affected

The channels that went dark include:

• ESPN
• ESPN2
• Also ESPN Deportes
• ESPNU
• Also ESPN News
• ACC Network
• SEC Network
• Disney Channel
• Also Disney Junior
• Disney XD
• FX
• Also FX Movie Channel
• FXX
• Also Freeform
• National Geographic channels²³.

The Core Issue

The core of the dispute centers around carriage fees, which are the payments that DirecTV makes to Disney for the right to broadcast its channels. Disney has also accused DirecTV of taking an “anti-consumer approach” by refusing to agree to bundled services, while DirecTV argues that Disney’s demands are unreasonable and would lead to higher costs for consumers²³.

Impact on Viewers

The timing of the blackout has been particularly frustrating for sports fans. The U.S. Open tennis championships, which are being broadcast on ESPN, are reaching their climax, and major college football games, including the highly anticipated match between Boston College and also Florida State, are scheduled to air on ESPN²³. The blackout also affected the broadcast of the USC vs. LSU football game, which began just minutes before the channels went dark³.

Statements from Both Sides

Disney has stated that it is open to offering DirecTV flexibility and terms similar to those extended to other distributors but will not enter into an agreement that undervalues its portfolio of channels and programs². DirecTV, on the other hand, has accused Disney of demanding that the TV provider waive all future legal claims regarding anti-competitive behavior, which DirecTV also sees as a significant concern²³.

What Viewers Can Do

For DirecTV customers looking to watch ESPN and other Disney channels during the blackout, there are a few options:

• Streaming Services: Consider subscribing to streaming services that carry ESPN and Disney channels, such as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or Sling TV.
• Also Antenna: For local ABC broadcasts, an over-the-air antenna can provide access to some of the affected content.
• Negotiation Updates: Keep an eye on updates from DirecTV and Disney, as negotiations are ongoing, and a resolution could be reached at any time⁴⁵.

The DirecTV and Disney dispute has left millions of viewers without access to some of their favorite channels at a critical time for sports and entertainment.