The ongoing carriage dispute between Disney and DirecTV has left millions of customers unable to watch major sports events, including the highly anticipated Jets vs. 49ers game on “Monday Night Football” (MNF).
Despite efforts to resolve the issue, no agreement has been reached, leaving popular Disney-owned channels such as ESPN, ABC, FX, and National Geographic unavailable on DirecTV’s satellite and streaming services since early September.
While most DirecTV customers could watch MNF via ABC in certain regions, those in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco faced blackouts due to Disney’s ownership of local ABC affiliates in these areas. In addition, customers were unable to stream the game through ESPN’s app, causing widespread frustration.
The standoff began on September 1, just before a weekend packed with college football and the US Open tennis finals. DirecTV has accused Disney of negotiating in bad faith, filing a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over the weekend. The primary issue is Disney’s pricing for its channel bundle, with DirecTV seeking more flexibility to offer customers packages that don’t require paying for ESPN if they don’t want it. Disney insists it is working to restore service, but no resolution has been reached.
Many sports fans have voiced their anger on social media, demanding a swift resolution to the dispute. Commercial customers such as bars, restaurants, and gyms have also been affected, as DirecTV is a key provider in areas without robust cable alternatives.
Despite the ongoing blackout, DirecTV assured customers that they would still be able to watch key events like the ABC News Presidential Debate, scheduled for September 10, through alternative broadcast options such as C-SPAN and other network channels.
With input from the Daily Mail, New York Post, and FOX Business.
