ESPN Reports Significant Update on Unexpected DirecTV Outage

DirecTV platforms have lost access to Disney-owned channels, including ESPN and ABC, as negotiations for a new distribution deal fell through on Sunday.

The immediate blackout impacted nearly 11 million DirecTV subscribers. The timing couldn’t have been worse, occurring just before the Top 25 college football clash between No. 23 USC and No. 13 LSU. Many viewers were also tuned in to the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York.

On Sunday, The Walt Disney Company and ESPN issued a firm statement regarding the situation.

“DirecTV chose to deny millions of subscribers access to our content just as we head into the final week of the US Open and gear up for college football and the opening of the NFL season,” read the statement from Disney executives Dana Walden, Alan Bergman, and Jimmy Pitaro. “While we’re open to offering DirecTV flexibility and terms which we’ve extended to other distributors, we will not enter into an agreement that undervalues our portfolio of television channels and programs. We invest significantly to deliver the No. 1 brands in entertainment, news, and sports because that’s what our viewers expect and deserve. We urge DirecTV to do what’s in the best interest of their customers and finalize a deal that would immediately restore our programming.”

As of now, DirecTV has yet to respond to Disney’s statement. The clock is ticking, especially with the NFL season about to start.

ESPN also carries Monday Night Football, which is scheduled to make its season debut on September 9, featuring Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets against the San Francisco 49ers.

Related: College Football Analyst Puts Oregon on Notice After Opener