Why ABC Isn’t Working on DirecTV: Disney Dispute Drops Channel Before LSU-USC

Those looking to tune into Sunday night’s heavyweight matchup between No. 12 LSU and No. 23 USC on DirecTV were greeted with an unexpected situation just before kickoff: a blackout.

Due to an ongoing dispute regarding carrier fees between Disney and DirecTV, the game was dropped from ABC, resulting in DirecTV users being unable to watch the clash between Garrett Nussmier and Miller Moss in Las Vegas for the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic.

In addition, ABC’s blackout also applies to all Disney-owned channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, and the other ESPN family of networks.

Just before kickoff between LSU and USC, ABC went into a blackout for DirecTV users because of an ongoing carrier fee dispute between DirecTV and Disney, ABC’s parent company. The blackout went into effect shortly after 7 p.m. ET, just as a broadcast of the U.S. Open was finishing up on ESPN.

As previously reported, DirecTV is looking for “smaller, more tailored packages at prices that reflect value to consumers,” per a statement from DirecTV’s chief content officer, Rob Thun, last week before the start of college football.

“DirecTV has not yet reached an agreement with Disney. This means Disney-owned channels, including local ABC stations in 8 markets, ESPN, and other general entertainment and regional sports channels are currently unavailable,” DirecTV Help wrote in a response on social media.

Disney issued a lengthy statement regarding the current blackout of the ESPN family of networks, stating: “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. 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.”

DirecTV released the following statement on social media: “Just hours before Disney pulled its programming from millions of DIRECTV customers, they demanded that to reach any licensing agreement or extend access to its programming, DIRECTV must agree to waive all claims that Disney’s behavior is anti-competitive,” the statement read.

The Southeastern Conference made a brief statement during the LSU-USC game on social media as well.

The blackout is affecting the entire ESPN family of networks—ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ABC, ACC Network, and SEC Network.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why is ABC not working on DirecTV? Channel dropped before LSU-USC amid Disney dispute

Source: USA TODAY