Disney channels — including ESPN and ABC — go dark on Charter Spectrum

September 1, 2023

in Business

Reading Time: 13 mins read

Nearly 15 million Charter Spectrum customers lost several Disney-owned channels — including ESPN and ABC — Thursday when the networks went dark as the two sides are still hammering out a new carriage deal.

More than 25 Disney channels were cut from the cable TV provider as both companies blame the other for the service disruption — which began as the college football season and in the middle of the much-anticipated US Open match between Carlos Alcaraz and Lloyd Harris got underway on the sports network.

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Because Spectrum — the No. 2 cable TV provider in the country — services the Billie Jean King Tennis Center during the US Open, ESPN broadcasts also went out in Arthur Ashe Stadium, the media workroom and all around the grounds around 8 p.m.

ABC-owned stations — including ABC 7 New York — ESPN and its affiliates and channels like Freeform, FX and National Geographic have all been pulled by Disney, Spectrum said.

The company vowed to keep negotiating in good faith in a message to viewers on the blacked-out channels.

Millions of Charter Spectrum customers lost access to Disney-owned channels including ABC, FX and ESPN due to the two companies’ ongoing carriage deal.

Because Spectrum services the Billie Jean King Tennis Center during the US Open, ESPN also went out in Arthur Ashe Stadium, the media workroom and all around the grounds around 8 p.m.

Disney, meanwhile, told The Post that it's been in ongoing discussions with Charter Communications for some time, but have yet to reach a “new market-based agreement.” — Disney, meanwhile, told The Post that it’s been in ongoing discussions with Charter Communications for some time, but have yet to reach a “new market-based agreement.”

“We offered Disney a fair deal, yet they are demanding an excessive increase,” Spectrum said. “They also want to limit our ability to provide greater customer choice in programming packages forcing you to take and pay for channels you may not want.

“We are very disappointed with their position, which has negatively impacted our customers.”

Disney, meanwhile, told The Post that it’s been in ongoing discussions with Charter Communications for some time, but have yet to reach a “new market-based agreement.”

“Disney Entertainment has successful deals in place with pay-TV providers of all types and sizes across the country, and the rates and terms we are seeking in this renewal are driven by the marketplace,” it added.

Because Spectrum — the No. 2 cable TV provider in the country — services the Billie Jean King Tennis Center during the US Open, ESPN also went out in Arthur Ashe Stadium, the media workroom and all around the grounds around 8 p.m.

ABC-owned stations -- including ABC 7 New York -- ESPN and its affiliates and channels like Freeform, FX and National Geographic have all been pulled by Disney, Spectrum said. — ABC-owned stations — including ABC 7 New York — ESPN and its affiliates and channels like Freeform, FX and National Geographic have all been pulled by Disney, Spectrum said.

“We’re committed to reaching a mutually agreed upon resolution with Charter and we urge them to work with us to minimize the disruption to their customers.”

Spectrum has about 14.7 million pay-TV subscribers, according to Hollywood Reporter.

The latest carriage dispute is one of a handful to involve Disney in recent years, according to the outlet.

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