directv disney espn DirecTV customers affected by the ongoing contract dispute with Disney can now receive bill credits as compensation for the blackout that has left millions without access to popular channels like ESPN, FX, Freeform, National Geographic, and local ABC stations. The blackout, which began Sunday evening, has impacted approximately 11 million subscribers, with no immediate resolution in sight.
How to Get Your DirecTV Bill Credit
To ease frustrations, DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, and AT&T U-Verse subscribers can now apply for a $20 credit on their next bill. Subscribers interested in this compensation must visit the DirecTV website and apply for the credit, which will be applied to future billing cycles. The company expressed its commitment to resolving the situation, stating: “We’re pursuing every avenue to get your station back.”
What Led to the Blackout?
The outage occurred after Disney and DirecTV failed to reach a new distribution agreement before their previous contract expired. As a result, Disney-owned cable networks, including ESPN and local ABC stations, went dark for millions of subscribers across the U.S., just as major events like Monday Night Football and the upcoming presidential debate were scheduled.
The standoff, now stretching into its fourth day, has stirred tension between the two companies. DirecTV’s Chief Content Officer Rob Thun criticized Disney for prioritizing profits at the expense of consumers. On the other hand, Disney Entertainment executives countered by stating that DirecTV was “misrepresenting the facts” and emphasized their commitment to a fair deal that benefits both sides and consumers.
How Long Will the Blackout Last?
While the timeline for resolution remains unclear, previous disputes between Disney and other providers have lasted up to two weeks, leaving many subscribers unsure of when they will regain access to their favorite shows and sports. Earlier this year, DirecTV customers in Houston faced a prolonged outage during a contract dispute with Tegna.
What Can DirecTV Users Do in the Meantime?
In an effort to mitigate the impact, DirecTV has provided alternative ways for subscribers to catch their favorite content. For sports fans, the company pointed out that most Texans and Cowboys games this season will be available on channels like FOX, CBS, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video. College football games featuring teams like TCU, Baylor, and the Longhorns will also be available on other networks such as FS1 and CW.
For those looking to watch ABC’s primetime series, DirecTV highlighted that original episodes won’t begin airing until September 17. However, local ABC stations, such as ABC 13 Houston, can still be streamed through their websites or mobile apps.
Conclusion
While the DirecTV-Disney standoff continues, affected subscribers are encouraged to apply for their $20 credit to ease the inconvenience. As both companies work toward a new agreement, DirecTV has assured customers that it is exploring every option to restore access to the missing channels as quickly as possible.
