DirecTV and Disney Fail to Reach Deal, ABC and ESPN Blackout Hits Millions

Sep 1, 2024, 11:35 PM

DirecTV and The Walt Disney Company have failed to reach a new distribution agreement, resulting in a blackout of Disney-owned channels, including ABC, ESPN, FX, and National Geographic, for over 11 million DirecTV subscribers. The blackout occurred just before the kickoff of the USC-LSU college football game and during the U.S. Open tennis tournament, leaving many sports fans without access. The dispute centers around carriage fees and distribution terms, with DirecTV accusing Disney of demanding excessive fees. Disney, in turn, claims it offered terms similar to those extended to other distributors. The blackout affects DirecTV's satellite and streaming services, with some markets experiencing a complete loss of ABC channels.