Why is ABC not engaged on DirecTV? Channel dropped earlier than LSU-USC amid Disney dispute

These trying to tune into Sunday night time’s heavyweight matchup between No. 12 LSU and No. 23 USC on DirecTV had been greeted with an sudden welcome simply earlier than kickoff: a blackout.

Resulting from an ongoing dispute relating to service charges between Disney and DirecTV, the sport was dropped from ABC in sure markets. Which means DirecTV customers in markets the place Disney owns the channel will not be capable to watch the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic on cable.

As well as, the blackout additionally applies to all Disney-owned channels, together with ESPN, ESPN2 and different channels within the ESPN household of networks.

REQUIRED READING: LSU vs USC score today: Live updates, highlights from Week 1 game

Here is what it’s essential to know the dispute between DirecTV and Disney:

Why are ABC, ESPN not engaged on DirecTV?

Simply earlier than kickoff between LSU and USC, ABC went right into a blackout for DirecTV customers in varied markets due to an ongoing service payment dispute between DirecTV and Disney, the mother or father firm of ABC. The blackout went into impact shortly after 7 p.m. ET, simply as a broadcast of the U.S. Open was ending up on ESPN.

As beforehand reported by USA TODAY, DirecTV is on the lookout for “smaller, extra tailor-made packages at costs that replicate worth to shoppers” per an announcement from DirecTV’s chief content material officer, Rob Thun, final week previous to the beginning of faculty soccer.

“DirecTV has not but reached an settlement with Disney. This implies Disney-owned channels, together with native ABC stations in eight markets, ESPN, and different common leisure and regional sports activities channels are at present unavailable,” DirecTV Assist wrote in a reply on X (previously Twitter) on Saturday.

Watch LSU vs. USC football live on ESPN+

Disney Assertion on ABC blackout

Disney issued a prolonged assertion in regard to the present blackout of the ESPN household of networks on Sunday:

“DirecTV selected to disclaim hundreds of thousands of subscribers entry to our content material simply as we head into the ultimate week of the US Open and equipment up for school soccer and the opening of the NFL season. Whereas we’re open to providing DirecTV flexibility and phrases which we have prolonged to different distributors, we is not going to enter into an settlement that undervalues our portfolio of tv channels and packages.

“We make investments considerably to ship the No. 1 manufacturers in leisure, information and sports activities as a result of that is what our viewers anticipate and deserve. We urge DirecTV to do what’s in the perfect curiosity of their prospects and finalize a deal that will instantly restore our programming.”

Through Entrance Workplace Sports activities:

Watch LSU vs. USC football live with Fubo (free trial)

DirecTV assertion on ABC blackout

DirecTV launched the next assertion on X (previously Twitter) Sunday night time:

“Simply hours earlier than Disney pulled its programming from hundreds of thousands of DirecTV prospects, they demanded that to succeed in any licensing settlement or prolong entry to its programming, DirecTV should conform to waive all claims that Disney’s habits is anti-competitive,” the assertion learn.

When reached for remark by the USA TODAY Community, DirecTV supplied the next assertion from Thun:

“The Walt Disney Co. is as soon as once more refusing any accountability to shoppers, distribution companions, and now the American judicial system,” Thun mentioned. “Disney is within the enterprise of making alternate realities, however that is the actual world the place we imagine you earn your method and should reply on your personal actions. They need to proceed to chase most earnings and dominant management on the expense of shoppers — making it tougher for them to pick the exhibits and sports activities they need at an affordable value.”

“Shopper frustration is at an all-time excessive as Disney shifts its finest producers, most revolutionary exhibits, prime groups, conferences, and whole leagues to their direct-to-consumer companies whereas making prospects pay greater than as soon as for a similar programming on a number of Disney platforms,” Thun continued. “Disney’s solely magic is forcing costs to go up whereas concurrently making its content material disappear.”

ESPN assertion on DirecTV-Disney dispute

Under is a joint statement from Dana Walden and Alan Bergman — co-chairmen of Disney Leisure — and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro on the continuing dispute between Disney and DirecTV.

“DirecTV selected to disclaim hundreds of thousands of subscribers entry to our content material simply as we head into the ultimate week of the US Open and equipment up for school soccer and the opening of the NFL season. Whereas we’re open to providing DirecTV flexibility and phrases which we’ve prolonged to different distributors, we is not going to enter into an settlement that undervalues our portfolio of tv channels and packages.

“We make investments considerably to ship the No. 1 manufacturers in leisure, information and sports activities as a result of that’s what our viewers anticipate and deserve. We urge DirecTV to do what’s in the perfect curiosity of their prospects and finalize a deal that will instantly restore our programming.”

What channels are affected?

Your entire ESPN household of networks — ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ACC Community and SEC Community — are being affected by the blackout. Furthermore, DirecTV viewers in eight markets the place Disney owns ABC shall be unable to look at the station.

The ABC community is owned by Disney within the following markets:

Easy methods to watch LSU-USC soccer throughout DirecTV blackout

You may stream LSU-USC on ESPN+ or on Fubo, which carries ABC and affords a free trial to pick customers.

This story shall be up to date

This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: ABC not working on DirecTV: What to know as Disney, TV provider dispute