Disney removes ABC, ESPN, and other channels from DirecTV amid carriage dispute.

On Sunday, Disney removed its ABC stations, ESPN, and other cable networks from DirecTV’s lineup after the two companies failed to reach a new distribution agreement. This left millions of sports fans without access as the college football and NFL seasons began.

The expired deal resulted in Disney-owned networks going dark for over 11 million satellite subscribers just before Sunday night’s kickoff between the USC Trojans and LSU Tigers, during the US Open tennis tournament, and days before the NFL season opener.

Rob Thun, DirecTV’s chief content officer, commented, “The Walt Disney Co. is once again refusing any accountability to consumers, distribution partners, and now the American judicial system. Disney is in the business of creating alternate realities, but this is the real world where we believe you earn your way and must answer for your own actions. They want to continue to chase maximum profits and dominant control at the expense of consumers, making it harder for them to select the shows and sports they want at a reasonable price.”