ESPN and ABC Go Dark on DirecTV in Feud With Disney

Disney's Bid to Increase Fees at Heart of Dispute

ESPN and ABC have gone dark on DirecTV as a result of a dispute between Disney and the satellite TV provider. The blackout began at midnight on Thursday, September 22nd, and has left millions of DirecTV customers without access to some of the most popular sports and news programming.

Fee Dispute at the Heart of Blackout

The dispute between Disney and DirecTV stems from a disagreement over fees. Disney is seeking to increase the fees that DirecTV pays to carry its channels, while DirecTV is resisting the increase. Disney has argued that the higher fees are necessary to cover the rising costs of programming, while DirecTV has said that the increase is too steep.

The blackout is the latest in a series of disputes between Disney and pay-TV providers over fees. In recent years, Disney has also been involved in disputes with Comcast, Dish Network, and Verizon FiOS over carriage fees.

Impact on Customers

The blackout is having a significant impact on DirecTV customers, who are now without access to ESPN, ABC, and other Disney-owned channels. This includes popular sports programming such as NFL football, college football, and Major League Baseball, as well as news programming from ABC News and ESPN.

DirecTV customers who are affected by the blackout can switch to other channels or streaming services to watch their favorite shows. However, some customers may find it difficult to find a suitable replacement for ESPN, which is the most popular sports channel in the United States.

Negotiations Continue

Disney and DirecTV are continuing to negotiate in an effort to reach a new agreement. However, it is unclear when the dispute will be resolved. In the meantime, DirecTV customers will have to find other ways to watch their favorite shows.