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.
Carriage Dispute
A carriage dispute occurs during a negotiation between a distributor (cable, satellite or streaming provider) and a programmer (local broadcast station owner and/or owner-operator of cable channels). The dispute triggers when the distributor and the programmer are unable to reach an agreement for carriage of channels on a pay TV system, likely after a programmer requests an increase in fees.
Customers of the distributor platform are left without one or more channels during the dispute. Carriage disputes are usually resolved when a distributor agrees to terms that a programmer sets; customers typically see the outcome of these agreements reflected on their monthly or annual bills.
In rare cases, a prolonged carriage dispute is the subject of litigation, after one company accuses the other of legal wrongdoing. Occasionally, a legal complaint is filed prior to the start of a carriage dispute, while a retransmission consent agreement is in place but clos to expiring.
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.
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.
Nexstar taps Supreme Court decision in seeking dismissal of FCC fine
The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Chevron deference means the Media Bureau erred in fining Nexstar over a carriage dispute, the broadcaster claims.
Dispute between Disney, DirecTV impacting bars, government agencies
Tens of thousands of DirecTV for Business customers, including bars and restaurants, may not have access to ESPN and ABC for weeks during football season. Government agencies that rely on DirecTV as a lifeline during emergencies may suffer, too.
DirecTV exec accuses programmers of ‘posturing’ as Disney blackout looms
Exclusive: DirecTV’s Chief Programming Officer Rob Thun said the development of Venu Sports proves broadcasters are ready to embrace genre-based channel bundles, and they should afford that opportunity to other distributors, too.
Dish pulls two Central Oregon TV channels over fees
Dish has pulled two Central Oregon television stations over a demand for higher fees in exchange for the right to distribute the channels.
MLB raises concerns over Diamond Sports dispute with Comcast
The inability to reach a deal with Comcast impairs Diamond Sports’ ability to meet its post-bankruptcy financial commitments, lawyers for MLB say.