DIRECTV vs. Disney: Will the Dispute End Before Monday Night Football?

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow on X.
Former editor of Satellite DIRECT magazine. Reported on DIRECTV for 30 years.

TV Answer Man, I just read that DIRECTV said the blackout could go a long time. The company exec said they probably won’t settle before Monday Night Football. Is that possible? Seriously?! — Tim, Manhattan Beach, California.

Tim, DIRECTV on Sunday night (September 1) lost all Disney channels, including ESPN, when the companies failed to reach a new carriage agreement. The blackout also affects DIRECTV Stream, U-verse and DIRECTV Via Streaming.

The fight comes at a particularly bad time for DIRECTV subscribers with college football season just starting and the NFL season beginning this week. With the loss of ESPN, and ABC in eight markets on satellite, and all ABC stations on streaming, it could mean that many DIRECTV viewers will not be able to watch the first Monday Night Football game (Jets vs. 49ers) on September 9. The game will air on both ESPN and ABC at 8:15 p.m. ET.

That fear was heightened yesterday when DIRECTV CEO Ray Carpenter told an investor group that a high-profile event like Monday Night Football will not force his company to settle prematurely. The satcaster is demanding that Disney provide greater flexibility in which channels it carries.

“This dispute is not a run-of-the-mill dispute. This is not the kind of dispute where we’re haggling over percentage points on a rate. This is really about changing the model in a way that gives everyone confidence that this industry can survive,” Carpenter said. “We’re not playing a short-term game. We need something that is going to work for the long-term sustainability of our video customers. The resolve is there”

Carpenter’s remarks sound like DIRECTV is ready to dig in its heels for weeks or more if necessary. However, before you reach for your DIRECTV cancellation button, assuming you’re not in a two-year agreement, note that Charter CEO Chris Winfrey a year ago said his company was preparing to do without ESPN forever when his Spectrum TV service was engaged in a carriage dispute with Disney. Four days later, Winfrey and Charter settled with Disney, ending the blackout.

Company executives tend to exaggerate while speaking during carriage battles to curry favor with subscribers and/or send a message to the other side. I suspect Carpenter is trying to send a message to Disney here.

I predicted yesterday that the DIRECTV-Disney blackout will likely last between two and four weeks and I will stay with that for now. That would mean that many subs will lose Monday Night Football on September 9. DIRECTV and Disney both understand that would hurt their businesses, but I don’t see how the companies can resolve their many differences before then.

Tim, hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!

The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.

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