DirecTV, Disney Fight Turns Nasty, Quickly

Background

The ongoing dispute between DirecTV and Disney has escalated in recent weeks, with both companies trading barbs and accusations.

The conflict began in December 2022, when DirecTV dropped Disney-owned channels from its lineup, including ESPN, ABC, and Disney Channel. Disney responded by filing a lawsuit against DirecTV, alleging breach of contract.

Recent Developments

Since then, the war of words has intensified.

DirecTV has accused Disney of being greedy and unreasonable in its demands for carriage fees. Disney, in turn, has accused DirecTV of putting its own profits ahead of the interests of its customers.

Impact on Consumers

The dispute has had a significant impact on consumers.

DirecTV customers have lost access to popular Disney-owned channels, while Disney+ subscribers have been unable to watch ESPN and other sports content on DirecTV.

Stats

• According to a recent survey, 75% of DirecTV customers are dissatisfied with the loss of Disney channels.
• Disney+ has lost over 1 million subscribers since the dispute began.

Outlook

It is unclear how the dispute will be resolved.

Both DirecTV and Disney have taken a hard line, and there is no sign of either side backing down.

The conflict is likely to continue for some time, and it could have a lasting impact on the media landscape.

Tips for Consumers

If you are a DirecTV customer who is affected by the dispute, there are a few things you can do:

• Contact DirecTV and express your dissatisfaction.
• Consider switching to another provider that offers Disney channels.
• Subscribe to Disney+ directly.

Disney+ subscribers who are unable to watch ESPN on DirecTV can:

• Contact Disney+ and express your dissatisfaction.
• Consider subscribing to ESPN+.