DirecTV says still no agreement with Disney on “clean slate” term
The company is moving forward with its complaint at the FCC, even though the channels have been restored to DirecTV.
2024 DirecTV-Disney Dispute
The 2024 DirecTV-Walt Disney Company Programming Dispute is a prolonged blackout of Disney-owned television channels on DirecTV’s satellite and streaming platforms and on U-Verse (formerly AT&T U-Verse).
The situation began on September 1, 2024 after a contractual agreement between Disney and DirecTV for the carriage of certain channels expired. Without a new agreement in place, Disney exercised its legal right to prevent DirecTV from redistributing its channels, effectively leaving millions of pay TV subscribers without access to ESPN, FX, Freeform, National Geographic, the Disney Channel and related cable networks.
The dispute also prevented DirecTV via Satellite and DirecTV via Internet customers from accessing ABC-owned broadcast stations in eight metropolitan areas, and DirecTV Stream and U-Verse customers from having access to more than 200 ABC stations and independently-owned network affiliates across the country.
An earlier decision by Disney to participate in a joint venture called Venu Sports is seen as a key element that triggered the programming dispute with DirecTV.
Disney agreed to three genre-based bundles on DirecTV, exec says
DirecTV originally wanted six genre-based bundles of channels, a Disney executive said in an interview, but was eventually convinced to cut that number in half.
ESPN sees lower audience for Week 1 Monday Night Football game
More Americans watched Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers get hurt in Week 1 last year, compared to the number of fans who witnessed his return on Monday.
DirecTV says Disney asked for ABC to be restored during presidential debate
The Walt Disney Company this week rejected an offer from DirecTV to restore ABC, ESPN and other channels through next Monday, the satellite TV company said.
ABC to simulcast Jets-49ers “Monday Night Football” game
ABC will simulcast a highly-anticipated match-up between the New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers on Monday — which is good news for DirecTV customers who have an antenna.
DirecTV taps Steamboat Willie in new ad campaign on Disney dispute
DirecTV has tapped a former Disney character to draw attention to its ongoing carriage dispute with the Walt Disney Company.
DirecTV files FCC complaint against Disney as dispute drags on
DirecTV has escalated its fight against Disney to the FCC, accusing the broadcaster of violating the agency’s good faith negotiation rules during its programming dispute.
NC Governor tells DirecTV, Disney to “resolve this dispute”
In a letter sent to DirecTV, Disney and ESPN, North Carolina Roy Cooper said the ongoing dispute involving channels like ESPN, ABC and FX is unacceptable.
DirecTV tells customers to use Sling, Fubo for ESPN
With channels like ESPN and ABC unavailable to DirecTV and U-Verse subscribers, the company is pointing customers to some of its competitors.
DirecTV sends letters to college sports conferences about Disney dispute
The company recently sent letters to leaders at the SEC, ACC and Big 12 Conference, whose games are distributed by ESPN and ABC.