Staff Reports
DirecTV customers are currently facing an unfortunate blackout of Disney-owned networks just in time for a pivotal presidential debate. While some might find their inability to catch the latest episodes of *The Mandalorian* slightly annoying, conservatives are more concerned about missing the debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump hosted by ABC News. After all, what better way to analyze political shenanigans than over a couple of cold ones, ideally while sitting safely on the couch, remote in hand?
The blackout has left DirecTV subscribers unable to access ABC, ESPN, FX, and Disney Channel, among other favorites. This is a spectacularly poor timing move from Disney, as they pulled the networks right before a weekend filled with college football and the NFL’s Monday Night Football kickoff. One can only wonder if Disney is trying to distract viewers from real news with endless reruns of animated features — a classic case of the House of Mouse prioritizing profit margins over consumer satisfaction. Disney might think they’re living in a fairy tale, but most DirecTV customers are living in the real world where sports and political debates actually matter.
Millions of people may not be able to see the debate next week. I have DirecTV, and I can't see anything on ABC right now. Debating on a Disney network was always a terrible idea.https://t.co/0GhWTLcnTk
— Mark Mendlovitz (@MendlovitzMark) September 4, 2024
In the finger-pointing game that seems to be all the rage these days, DirecTV claims that Disney is playing hardball by demanding cash for channels that, according to DirecTV, their customers may not even want. The DirecTV chief content officer expressed frustration over Disney’s seeming lack of accountability. Meanwhile, Disney insists that the squabble is merely a disagreement over carriage rates, positioning themselves as the misunderstood artist simply trying to monetize content in a fair way. It looks like Disney has confused earning a living with restricting customer viewing options.
While DirecTV and Disney trade barbs, it’s worth noting that the debate will still be viewable through various other networks. In a show of what one could call real competition, NBC, Fox, CBS, and even PBS will simulcast the debate. DirecTV customers can partake in this event without the need for sports cable packages and infuriating calls with customer service. They’re just one channel away from not having to miss out on the political drama.
If the DirecTV customers are determined to see the debate exclusively through ABC News, they’re in luck! ABC has decided to simulcast the debate on ABC News Live, Disney+, and Hulu, which might just be Disney’s cheeky way of encouraging subscribers to ditch their cable and jump into the ever-expanding streaming ocean. After all, the debate will take place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, and it would be a shame for viewers to miss out on watching Trump and Harris go toe-to-toe at 9 p.m. EDT due to a squabble over who pays who.
The escalation between DirecTV and Disney is a perfect showcase of the current state of affairs in the media world. It’s a reminder that while corporations squabble in the boardroom, it’s everyday Americans who get caught in the crossfire. As one can see, the future of entertainment and information could depend less on what consumers want to watch and more on what these giants can squeeze from them. The show must go on, and thankfully, there are plenty of other ways for viewers to catch the action.
