Millions of DirecTV subscribers could be left in the dark for the highly-anticipated ABC Presidential Debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris due to an ongoing contract dispute with the Walt Disney Company. Since September 1, over 11 million DirecTV users have lost access to Disney-owned channels like ABC, ESPN, and FX, as the companies struggle to reach a new carriage agreement.
This blackout comes at a critical time, with ABC set to host what could be the only Trump-Harris debate on September 10. With just days to go, DirecTV CEO Ray Carpenter has expressed doubts that a deal will be reached in time, stating the company is not focused on quick fixes but on long-term sustainability for its video services.
Carpenter, addressing subscribers’ frustrations during a Wall Street conference call, emphasized the company’s resistance to “bloated” packages that are reportedly driving users away from traditional pay-TV.
The timing is unfortunate for sports fans as well, as the blackout also affects ESPN and ABC’s coverage of the NFL season opener on September 9. Many DirecTV subscribers have threatened to cancel their service, prompting the company to issue an unusual response on social media, urging customers not to switch providers, arguing that such disputes are an industry-wide issue.
“Switching isn’t the answer,” the company’s official X (formerly Twitter) account has repeatedly told frustrated users, acknowledging that competitors like Comcast and Spectrum face similar contract battles.
Millions Could Miss Trump, Harris Debate As ABC Feuds With Major TV Provider https://t.co/onpqbeSPzf via @dailycaller
— Keith Long 🇺🇸 (@klongrockport) September 5, 2024
Disney, for its part, has pointed out that most DirecTV customers watch Disney’s linear programming regularly, pushing back against claims that these channels are not widely viewed. However, the standoff has left millions without access to Disney content, putting further pressure on the already strained pay-TV model.
While subscribers may not be able to watch the debate via traditional DirecTV services, they still have options. The debate will be streamed in real-time on Disney+, Hulu, and ABC News Live, allowing those with access to these services to catch the Trump-Harris face-off. However, the ongoing dispute is emblematic of the larger challenges facing the pay-TV industry, as cord-cutting and streaming services continue to disrupt the landscape.
DirecTV’s assertion that these carriage disputes affect the entire TV industry is not without merit. Streaming services like YouTube TV and Fubo have also experienced similar blackouts in recent years, further complicating the choices for consumers looking to escape such interruptions. As media companies and TV providers continue to clash over content fees and bundling, the frequency of these blackouts is likely to increase, leaving subscribers caught in the crossfire.
