DirecTV Rejects Disney’s Temporary Offer: No ABC News for Harris-Trump Debate Tonight
Directv disney : Directv disney In a surprising move, DirecTV has turned down Disney’s offer to bring back ABC News for tonight’s highly anticipated presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Disney had proposed to make ABC News available to DirecTV subscribers for three hours at no charge, but DirecTV refused the offer.
Disney’s proposal aimed to ensure that all Americans could watch the debate, which is a major event. Disney spokespeople, April Carretta and Bridget Osterhaus, stated that they wanted to provide the feed for free because of the importance of the debate. However, DirecTV declined, arguing that temporarily restoring ABC News for just a few hours would cause customer confusion when the channel disappeared again shortly after.
DirecTV’s counteroffer was to restore all Disney channels through September 17. This would allow DirecTV customers to watch not only the debate but also the upcoming Primetime Emmy Awards and Monday Night Football. DirecTV believed this solution would be less confusing for their subscribers. Disney, however, rejected this offer.
As a result, ABC News will not be available to DirecTV customers tonight. Despite this, DirecTV subscribers can still watch the debate on several other networks, including PBS News, Fox News, and C-SPAN. However, with ABC News off the air, the debate may attract fewer viewers on that channel.
Background of the Dispute
The blackout of Disney channels on DirecTV began on September 1. This dispute has led to DirecTV customers missing out on popular programming, including coverage of the US Open and the NFL season opener. The conflict centers around disagreements over licensing terms and fees. Disney accuses DirecTV of undervaluing its channels, while DirecTV claims that Disney’s terms do not allow for enough flexibility in creating different channel packages.
Over the past week, both companies have exchanged statements criticizing each other. Disney has continued negotiations with DirecTV, emphasizing that restoring their programming is entirely within DirecTV’s control. On the other hand, DirecTV has kept its offer to temporarily restore access on the table.
How to Watch the Debate and Other Disney Content
For DirecTV customers, the absence of Disney channels means finding alternative ways to watch programming. Tonight’s debate can be viewed on other channels and online platforms, so viewers won’t miss out entirely.
If you’re looking to replace Disney channels, several streaming services offer what DirecTV currently does not. YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV both include major Disney channels like ABC, ESPN, and Disney+. YouTube TV costs $73 a month with a 21-day trial, while Hulu Plus Live TV is priced at $77 a month with a three-day trial.
Fubo TV is another option, offering Disney channels for $80 a month, with a seven-day free trial. Sling TV also provides many Disney channels through its Sling Orange package, starting at $15 for the first month and $40 per month thereafter. Local ABC affiliates can be accessed through Sling Blue or with an over-the-air antenna.
How to Claim a Billing Credit
DirecTV is offering a billing credit to subscribers affected by the loss of Disney channels. The initial credit was $20, but it has recently been increased to $30. To check if you qualify for this credit, visit DirecTV’s TV Promise page. Enter your ZIP code and service information to see if you’re eligible. If you are, you can apply for the credit directly through the site.
Conclusion
The standoff between DirecTV and Disney continues, with no clear end in sight. While DirecTV customers are missing out on Disney programming, they still have other viewing options for tonight’s debate and other Disney content. As negotiations proceed, both companies have yet to resolve their differences, leaving many viewers in a state of uncertainty.
For now, finding alternative ways to watch Disney programming and claiming any available credits are the best steps for affected DirecTV subscribers.
