Spectrum cable TV customers lose access to ESPN, other channels due to dispute with Disney

Stephanie Zappelli
·2 min read
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Millions of Spectrum customers have suddenly lost access to ESPN and several other channels thanks to a dispute between the cable TV provider and the Walt Disney Co.

The issue is affecting all programming from Disney, which has withdrawn a host of popular channels including all the ESPN networks, the Disney Channel, National Geographic and some regional ABC channels, Spectrum said in a statement.

And it comes just as college football kicks off, leaving many fans unable to watch their favorite teams this weekend.

Now, instead of seeing games or shows, viewers are greeted with a rotating message on the dark channels.

Spectrum serves cable TV customers in 41 states, including San Luis Obispo County.

According to Spectrum, the Walt Disney Co. is “demanding an excessive increase” in license fees.

“The rising cost of programming is the single greatest factor in higher cable TV prices, and we are fighting hard to hold the line on programming rates imposed on us by companies like Disney,” Spectrum said in the news release.

Charter Communications, Spectrum’s parent company, said in a statement that the Walt Disney Co.’s cable programs lost viewership over the past four years.

Disney offered a deal with “higher license fees” and “less packaging flexibility,” which Charter Communications declined, the company said.

“We believe that renewing a traditional distribution deal in line with The Walt Disney Company’s current offer would ignore the realities of today’s video business and accelerate its decline,” Charter said in the statement.

On Thursday, Disney issued a statement to The Hollywood Reporter:

“We’ve been in ongoing negotiations with Charter Communications for some time and have not yet agreed to a new market-based agreement,” Disney said. “Disney Entertainment has successful deals in place with pay TV providers of all types and sizes across the country, and the rates and terms we are seeking in this renewal are driven by the marketplace. We’re committed to reaching a mutually agreed upon resolution with Charter and we urge them to work with us to minimize the disruption to their customers.”

The full list of channels and stations removed from Spectrum include:

  • ESPN

  • ESPN2

  • ESPN Deportes

  • ESPNU

  • ESPN News

  • SEC Network

  • ACC Network

  • Longhorn Network

  • FX

  • FX Movie Channel

  • FXX

  • Freeform

  • National Geographic

  • Nat Geo Wild

  • Nat Geo Mundo

  • Disney Channel

  • Disney Junior

  • Disney XD

  • BabyTV

  • ABC7 Chicago

  • ABC7 Los Angeles

  • ABC7 New York

  • ABC7 San Francisco

  • ABC11 Raleigh-Durham

  • ABC13 Houston

  • ABC30 Fresno