Over 10 million customers of DirecTV experienced a blackout of ESPN and other channels owned by Disney. Channels went off the air in the middle of the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament and just before the LSU vs. USC college football game. Content such as live sports and events only premier on Disney’s networks (ESPN, ABC, and others).
According to USA TODAY, DirecTV and Disney are negotiating a new contract allowing DirectTV’s satellite and streaming service to broadcast ESPN, Disney Channel, and other Disney-owned networks. All those channels blacked out as soon as DirectTV’s contract with Disney ended. Since then, subscribers cannot watch those channels. Eight Disney-owned ABC stations were also blacked out. If no solution is found, then experts predict that viewers will miss a large number of broadcasted events over the following days.
Within all this information, a good question is raised: how can fans watch ESPN and other sports channels? ESPN+ is $10.99 monthly and unfortunately doesn’t provide access to all of ESPN’s channels. YouTube TV has a 3-week free trial offer which has more that 100 channels, including the ones that were affected by the blackout (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, Disney Channel, Disney Jr., Disney XC, FX, FXM, FXX, Freeform, ACC Network, SEC Network, National Geographic and National Geographic Wild). The easiest but more costly bet is to subscribe to a live streaming TV service.
“In the middle of my dad watching football it cut out,” said freshman Kathleen Clary. This feeling is common among Saint Viator students.
“I hope they get the channels up and running fast,” said freshman Shannon McDonough.
“Streaming services are out of control,” said staff member Ms. Elizabeth Schuetz. “It’s not asking for a lot. We pay for channels and we should get to watch them.” The Walt Disney Company refused the temporary return of their channels on DirecTV. Currently, there is no way to tell when this dispute will end.
As of Sept. 14, the two companies settled a deal following a two-week blackout.