DirecTV subscribers wanting to watch the LSU-USC football game on ABC, Braves-Phillies on ESPN, or US Open tennis on ESPN2 were left frustrated on Sunday night as the satellite TV provider pulled coverage in a carriage dispute with Disney.
Disney channels went dark on the service just after 7 p.m. ET, less than a half-hour before LSU and USC were scheduled to kick off from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
All Disney channels on DirecTV are dark right now, including ABC in markets where Disney owns the channel.
— John Ourand (@Ourand_Puck) September 1, 2024
DirecTV subscribers in markets where other companies own the ABC affiliate have not experienced any disruption. https://t.co/l7V27jf5x2
Several subscribers on social media showed their ability to watch programming cut as events were ongoing.
WTF Directv and ESPN. pic.twitter.com/4RSyAn429L
— Thomas B (@BaseballThomasB) September 1, 2024
"DirecTV chose to deny millions of subscribers access to our content just as we had into the final week of the US Open and gear up for college football and the opening of the NFL season," said a statement from The Walt Disney Company and ESPN shortly after the channels went dark."
Statement from The Walt Disney Company and ESPN regarding DirecTV
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) September 1, 2024
More: https://t.co/KYeyXFlU9u pic.twitter.com/jRZ8v7tz7N
"While we're open to offering DirecTV flexibility and terms which we've extended to other distrbutors, we will not enter into an agreement that undervalues our portfolio of television channels and programs."
This is a breaking news story that will be updated.
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