DirecTV and Disney are still at an impasse in their contract dispute, with Disney networks including ABC and ESPN remaining dark for the more than 11 million DirecTV subscribers. DirecTV customers already missed out on Monday Night Football and were in jeopardy of not being able to watch Tuesday’s, Sept. 10, debate on ABC, the network hosting the event.
Hours before the first debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, Disney offered to provide a three-hour feed of its ABC News coverage to all impacted DirecTV customers at no cost despite the stalemate.
Disney said, “We want all Americans to be able to view tonight’s debate at this important moment in our history,” adding, “We remain at the table negotiating with DirecTV and the restoration of our programming to their subscribers is completely within their control.”
But in a move mimicking the presidential debate that would air later that night, DirecTV pushed back against the other side’s plans. It rejected Disney’s offer, making it clear where the satellite TV company stands on the issue.
In a statement of its own, DirecTV said, “Unfortunately, returning only Disney’s ABC stations from the entire portfolio of channels for a limited three-hour window will cause customer confusion among those who would briefly see the debate only to lose the channel again shortly after.”
DirecTV admitted it would have accepted Disney’s offer had Disney been willing to accept its demands. DirectTV called for Disney to restore “all its channels across platforms” through the end of Monday Night Football this coming Monday.
DirectTV said Disney “flat-out rejected” its offer.
DirectTV said had Disney agreed to its proposal, viewers would have been able to watch not only Monday Night Football, but this weekend’s college football games and Sunday’s Emmy Awards — all airing on Disney’s networks.
Though ABC remained dark on DirecTV, subscribers were still able to catch the debate as it was simulcast on non-Disney networks and streaming channels.
Disney’s deal with DirecTV ended Sept. 1. More than a week in, the two sides can’t see eye to eye on new terms. It’s unclear when Directv subscribers will be able to watch ABC, ESPN, or any of the other Disney networks again.
