On Sunday, the carriage dispute between Disney and DirecTV led to all Disney-owned networks disappearing from DirecTV’s satellite and streaming services.
Typically, such disputes result in predictable finger-pointing, with providers blaming networks and vice versa, often with both parties sharing the blame.
Sports business reporter Daniel Kaplan noted on X that DirecTV’s press release referenced recent litigation affecting the proposed sports mega-streamer by Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery. DirecTV claimed that just hours before the contract expiration, Disney demanded that DirecTV waive all claims of anti-competitive behavior to reach any licensing agreement or extend access to its programming. Additionally, Disney insisted that any future lawsuits be adjudicated in California, not New York, criticizing SDNY Judge Garnett’s understanding of the issues when granting a preliminary injunction against Disney’s Venu Sports. DirecTV argued that Disney’s last-minute demands to avoid legal accountability for its anti-competitive actions should concern pro-consumer advocacy groups, regulators, and the Department of Justice.
This dispute affects all DirecTV customers, including traditional satellite users, DirecTV Stream, and U-verse subscribers. It follows a similar conflict last year between Disney and Charter Communications, which kept Disney-owned content off that service until the launch of Monday Night Football, with the Jets hosting the Bills.
In one week, the 2024 Monday Night Football season begins with the 49ers hosting the Jets.
