Disney-owned channels, including ABC and ESPN, were recently removed from DirecTV’s offerings following a breakdown in contract negotiations between the two companies. The blackout began during ESPN's coverage of the US Open tennis tournament, just days before the NFL season kicks off, affecting approximately 11 million DirecTV subscribers.

The conflict has sparked a blame game, with DirecTV accusing Disney of restricting consumer choice by pushing content to its own streaming platforms like Hulu and Disney Plus. DirecTV also claims that Disney introduced a last-minute clause demanding that DirecTV waive any claims of anti-competitive behavior.

Rob Thun, DirecTV’s chief content officer, criticized Disney for prioritizing profit over consumer interests, making it harder for viewers to access the shows and sports they want at reasonable prices.

On the other side, Disney defended its stance, stating that it invests heavily in delivering top-tier entertainment, news, and sports, and that DirecTV is unwilling to pay the premium that its content deserves. Disney urged DirecTV to finalize a deal to restore programming for its customers.

The previous agreement between the companies, signed in 2019, expired on Sunday. Such disputes are common, with negotiations often set to expire during peak viewing periods to incentivize both sides to reach an agreement. A similar blackout occurred last year when Disney blocked its channels on Charter’s Spectrum during the US Open, which lasted 12 days before a resolution was reached.

The ongoing dispute leaves millions of viewers caught in the middle, uncertain when they will regain access to their favorite Disney-owned channels.