Excitement was in the air as the U.S. Open tennis tournament unfolded, and college football fans eagerly anticipated the first full weekend of games. But the excitement turned to disappointment for many when ESPN went off the air on a major carrier for the second year in a row.
Disney Entertainment channels suddenly disappeared from DirecTV on Sunday night due to failed negotiations on a new carriage agreement.
As sports fans expressed their frustration on social media, the U.S. Tennis Association voiced its displeasure, highlighting the impact of such disputes on viewers.
Viewers missed out on the U.S. Open action, including a match between American Frances Tiafoe and Australian Alexei Popyrin, while also losing access to the college football game between No. 13 LSU and 23rd-ranked Southern California.
DirecTV, with 11.3 million subscribers, is now in the spotlight as consumers demand a resolution to bring back their favorite Disney-owned channels.
This clash reflects a larger trend in the industry, with distributors and subscribers advocating for more flexibility in choosing channels and accessing premium content.
As the negotiation standoff continues, viewers are left without access to essential programming, underscoring the need for a consumer-centered solution.
For more sports updates, visit AP Sports.
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
Watch 12News+ for free
Experience live 12News content anytime, anywhere with the 12News+ app! Stream daily newscasts and exclusive events on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
Stay updated on breaking news, local stories, weather updates, and more through live video coverage and on-demand access to top news stories.
Don’t miss out on the latest updates and stream 12News content on your preferred streaming platform.
Up to Speed
Get the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe now for all the updates!
