College football fans who use DirecTV were met with an unwelcome surprise on Sunday when Disney-owned channels, including ESPN, went dark just before the highly anticipated LSU vs. USC game. The blackout was the result of a breakdown in negotiations between DirecTV and Disney over a new distribution deal, leaving millions of viewers frustrated and unable to watch one of the marquee matchups of Week 1.
The timing of the blackout couldn’t have been worse, as it also coincided with the ongoing US Open in Queens, another major event airing on ESPN. Additionally, with the NFL season just around the corner—highlighted by the Jets and 49ers squaring off on “Monday Night Football” on September 9—fans are growing increasingly anxious about missing more key sports broadcasts.
In response to the blackout, ESPN issued a statement expressing their disappointment with DirecTV’s decision to cut off access to their programming. “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,” the statement read. ESPN emphasized that they had offered DirecTV flexible terms similar to those extended to other distributors, but they were unwilling to agree to a deal that undervalued their portfolio of channels and programming. “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.”
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DirecTV, however, had a different take on the situation. Rob Thun, the company’s chief content officer, responded with a sharp rebuke aimed at Disney, accusing the media giant of prioritizing profits over consumers. “The Walt Disney Co. is once again refusing any accountability to consumers, distribution partners, and now the American judicial system,” Thun said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. “They want to continue to chase maximum profits and dominant control at the expense of consumers—making it harder for them to select the shows and sports they want at a reasonable price.”
The dispute has left fans caught in the middle, with little sympathy for either side. Many took to social media to voice their frustration over missing out on the LSU-USC game and the US Open. One particularly frustrated viewer shared their disappointment on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Well @DIRECTV blacked out ABC and ESPN after I ordered a large delivery order to have friends over for LSU-USC. I will be canceling and switching to YouTube TV again I guess!”
Another user posted a video of their screen going dark in the middle of the Brandon Nakashima vs. Alexander Zverev match at the US Open, captioned with a simple, “WTF DirecTV and ESPN.”
The USTA and US Open organizers also expressed their dismay in a statement released on Sunday night. “It is disappointing that fans and viewers around the country will not have the opportunity to watch the greatest athletes in our sport take part in the 2024 US Open due to an unresolved negotiation between DirecTV and Disney, resulting in the loss of access to ESPN,” the statement read. “We are hopeful that this dispute can be resolved as quickly as possible.”
This is not the first time Disney has found itself in a carriage dispute. Just last year, a similar standoff with Charter Communications lasted 12 days before being resolved. As the standoff with DirecTV continues, fans are left to wonder how long they’ll be without access to their favorite sports and entertainment programming, especially during such a critical time in the sports calendar.
For now, viewers are left in limbo, with the blackout affecting not just college football and tennis fans, but potentially millions of NFL fans as well.
The frustration is palpable, and the pressure is on both DirecTV and Disney to reach an agreement before more events are missed and more fans decide to take their business elsewhere.
