Disney Says It Will Provide ABC Debate Feed to DIRECTV – But DIRECTV Says No Thanks

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

Disney announced this afternoon that it would provide DIRECTV with a three-hour feed of ABC’s broadcast of tonight’s presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

However, DIRECTV responded that it would accept the offer only if Disney returned all channels until September 16 while negotiations continue. Disney has rejected that request, DIRECTV says, so no debate on ABC on DIRECTV as of now.

“DIRECTV agreed to return ABC in time for tonight’s Presidential Debate if Disney is also willing to return all its channels across platforms through the end of Monday Night Football at 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 17. Returning the Disney-owned channels for the next week while we work to reach a new agreement would benefit customers who would regain access to ABC for the debate and the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 16 as well as their favorite college and professional football games on ABC and ESPN, ACC or SEC networks,” the satcaster says at its web site.

DIRECTV and Disney have been engaged in a contentious carriage dispute with the Disney channels, including ABC, blacked out on DIRECTV’s TV services since September 1. The debate, which begins at 9 p.m. ET, will be simulcast on other channels so Directv viewers will be able to watch it.

“As we announced in May, the ABC News presidential debate will be widely available across broadcast, cable and streaming,” a Disney spokesperson said this afternoon in a statement. “Although we have yet to reach an agreement, we are providing a three-hour feed of ABC News coverage to all impacted DirecTV customers at no cost because we want all Americans to be able to view tonight’s debate at this important moment in our history. We remain at the table negotiating with DirecTV and the restoration of our programming to their subscribers is completely within their control.”

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