Sports, in general, drive the majority of live television viewership these days, but the return of football season, by far the most lucrative live television event, has led two leading entertainment rivals to battle it out for the top sports channels.
With the US Open finals, college, and Monday night football back on the schedule, sports fans are turning to sports broadcasters now more than ever to watch their favorite teams dominate the field.
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For many years, it has been an American tradition to sit on the couch after a long day of work on a Monday night and turn on ESPN or ABC to watch the NFL’s Monday night football.
However, on September 1st, many fans were shocked to find that both channels had been completely removed from their TV guides.
Both programming networks have two things in common: they are top sports channels and are owned by none other than the Walt Disney Company.
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Direct TV files FCC against Disney
On Saturday, DirectTV filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), stating that Disney ( (DIS) ) did not negotiate “in good faith” during their ongoing rights negotiations, which is illegal and violates the FCC’s mandates.
“Disney has violated the FCC’s good faith mandates by predicating any licensing agreement on DirecTV’s waiving any legal claims on Disney’s past, current or future anticompetitive actions, including its ongoing packaging and minimum penetration demands,” stated DirectTV in the filing’s statement.
This filing results from an ongoing contract dispute in which Disney wants DirectTV’s customers to pay an additional fee on top of their already-set cable bill.
According to DirectTV, Disney is forcing consumers to pay for channels they don’t watch, which is driving them to break contracts and unsubscribe from DirectTV.
“Disney is herding consumers away from its network websites and apps to generate far greater subscription revenue for Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+ and future streaming aspirations,” said DirectTV in a statement.
However, Disney has a different view on the matter.
“We continue to negotiate with DirecTV to restore access to our content as quickly as possible. We urge DirecTV to stop creating diversions and instead prioritize their customers by finalizing a deal that would allow their subscribers to watch our strong upcoming lineup of sports, news and entertainment programming, starting with the return of Monday Night Football,” said the Disney team in a statement to The Street.
Football fans reach a breaking point
After signing contracts with DirectTV to use its cable services and paying hundreds of dollars monthly, loyal football fans are angered to see their beloved sports channels be taken away, especially during the most important season in American sports.
🤬WTF! @DIRECTV, how come I wake up this morning and unable to watch @espn 😳 This is unacceptable!! Please get your contract with @Disney negotiated ASAP! The @NFL season starts this week, are you kidding me right now?? I need my ESPN. Guess I’ll be looking into @YouTubeTV
— MiGadgetGear (@MiGadgetGear) September 2, 2024
What @directv just did is grimey. To do this to your customers in the middle of the US Open, MLB, and college football on a holiday weekend when millions of people are warching @espn is bad business for YOUR customers.
— Nicole (@nikkinicole1908) September 1, 2024
Some DirectTV customers redirected their anger by threatening to leave the TV provider on social media.
Hey @DIRECTV if I wake up tomorrow without ESPN…I’m gone. It’s just that simple.
— Mike Baxter (@mike_baxter22) September 1, 2024
If ESPN isn’t back on my TV by tomorrow morning, that’s the end of the line for me @DIRECTV
FIGURE IT OUT!!!
— Jeff Kowalski (@jjbrwrsfan) September 1, 2024
Those who suffered no consequences, thanks to being subscribed to other TV providers, made light of the frustrating situation.
@DIRECTV: We’ll show Disney.@dish: We did it first.
Hulu and You Tube once again…. pic.twitter.com/9ykmMhHH5c
— Que minus the BarB (@RidgetopDawg) September 2, 2024
Related: DirecTV gives grim response to customers angry over Disney blackout
DirectTV pays customers to stay
DirectTV is the third largest TV provider in the U.S. with over 11.3 million subscribers, which means millions of Americans are now deprived of watching their favorite sports.
However, the TV provider refuses to give up its fight against the media giant and fires back by waving a couple of deals in its clients’ faces that are way too tempting not to accept.
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In order to placate its customers, DirectTV is offering a seven-day free Fubo trial, which includes ESPN and other Disney networks, as well as an additional $30 off the first month once that trial ends.
But that’s not all; the TV provider also gives its customers a $30 credit if they sign up for Sling’s orange service, which includes ESPN and other Disney networks.
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