ESPN, ABC and other Disney channels dropped from DirecTV in contract dispute

[Don CT]

The whole business model of pay TV is collapsing and Disney is trying to squeeze out the last few dollars they can.

 

[K.M. Richards]

In my opinion, this is something that should have been anticipated when the rules for cable/satellite carriage were changed from mandatory must-carry based on signal contours to station owners being able to negotiate a rate for carrying their broadcast signals.

We have now seen -- over and over again -- station owners who also own "cable" networks condition the broadcast signal carriage on also carrying their non-broadcast programming. Disney has been especially egregious in this regard.

I have never disagreed with cable networks charging per-subscriber. That's been the case for some 40 years now. But I believe that the OTA carriage should go back to being mandated by coverage area and blocked from being part of the fee discussion for the rest of the commonly owned channels.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Consider the other part Disney role in boosting more subscribers to their TV Apps and call it "The Disney Package" where Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+ all get promoted together between local news segments to between NBA plays whenever ESPN is airing LA Lakers and Golden State Warriors games for ABC affiliates. This dispute is part of not just how cable contract fees are handled but also how many subscribers Disney gets to its apps. Some of this is that they see the median audience there.

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[davideduardo]

Another consideration is that it seems that millions of people will lose ABC access and be unable to watch the Harris / Trump debate coming up in.... (insert timer here).

 

[davideduardo]

Why do these disputes only happen between one cable company and a broadcaster? If the broadcaster is charging everyone exuberant fees, shouldn't all of them either pay a lot more, or disconnect them? (Sling is still able to carry them, and not charge much.)

Each system carries different channel arrays and puts them on different tiers. So no two are exactly the same. Add in the issue of how much each system can charge and you have another variable that sets the pricing model.

 

[Larry]

Another consideration is that it seems that millions of people will lose ABC access and be unable to watch the Harris / Trump debate coming up in.... (insert timer here).

CNN and (locally) PBS are also airing the debate. I didn’t check but CSPAN might also be broadcasting it.

 

[davideduardo]

Then (assuming that nothing's changed in the last couple years), maybe Disney should include the ESPN channels in the ESPN+ app without requiring a separate cable/satellite/streaming provider to be subscribed to before being able to see them in the app. I'm not holding my breath, given the extra cost that would be required.

What would make many of us happier is for ESPN not to be in basic cable packages. I pay over $200 a year "extra" for the sports channels on my basic cable service and I never watch any of them ever. Let those who want ESPN buy it separately, without charging non-users so much.

 

[radiofan2023]

What would make many of us happier is for ESPN not to be in basic cable packages. I pay over $200 a year "extra" for the sports channels on my basic cable service and I never watch any of them ever. Let those who want ESPN buy it separately, without charging non-users so much.

Disney is going to offer a standalone ESPN streaming service:

ESPN as a standalone streaming service is coming in 2025

Even as it eyes a joint sports bundle with Fox and Warners, Disney is forging ahead with a standalone streaming version of ESPN.

www.techhive.com

This will just lead more people to dump cable and increase the price.

 

[fybush]

Another consideration is that it seems that millions of people will lose ABC access and be unable to watch the Harris / Trump debate coming up in.... (insert timer here).

No matter which network hosts the debate, all the networks are allowed to carry it.

 

[Mediafrog+]

Another consideration is that it seems that millions of people will lose ABC access and be unable to watch the Harris / Trump debate coming up in.... (insert timer here).

Only those DirecTV viewers whose local ABC station is an O&O.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Another consideration is that it seems that millions of people will lose ABC access and be unable to watch the Harris / Trump debate coming up in.... (insert timer here).

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Disney has issued a statement to find the ABC News app and put it on their phones and TV's. I get what you mean like the viewers using older TV's are not on apps they are expecting to look for certain shows via local ABC affiliate.

 

[Kelly A]

Then (assuming that nothing's changed in the last couple years), maybe Disney should include the ESPN channels in the ESPN+ app without requiring a separate cable/satellite/streaming provider to be subscribed to before being able to see them in the app. I'm not holding my breath, given the extra cost that would be required.

So, you're saying that someone interested in Disney+ programming like Star Wars, Disney kids movies, and alike would also like ESPN bundled?
No, it doesn't work that way. Just because two divisions are under one larger corporate umbrella, doesn't mean one division appealing to a completely difference audience gets 'thrown in 'just because.

 

[tall_guy1]

Each system carries different channel arrays and puts them on different tiers. So no two are exactly the same. Add in the issue of how much each system can charge and you have another variable that sets the pricing model.

But I am sure each cable carrier or live TV streaming service has to pay to carry nearly all of them to get any of them. Therefore, don't understand how one gets into a fight with Disney or someone while others don't.

 

[radiofan2023]

But I am sure each cable carrier or live TV streaming service has to pay to carry nearly all of them to get any of them. Therefore, don't understand how one gets into a fight with Disney or someone while others don't.

Because the carriage contracts aren’t all for the same timeframe

 

[powergate92]

Another consideration is that it seems that millions of people will lose ABC access and be unable to watch the Harris / Trump debate coming up in.... (insert timer here).

Not really. ABC is allowing other networks to simulcast the Debate. It is currently scheduled to be simulcast on other major broadcast networks including NBC, CBS, FOX, and PBS.

 

[Larry]

But I am sure each cable carrier or live TV streaming service has to pay to carry nearly all of them to get any of them. Therefore, don't understand how one gets into a fight with Disney or someone while others don't.

Some others might have contensious negotiations but come to an agreement before the deadline, others don’t.

 

[davideduardo]

Not really. ABC is allowing other networks to simulcast the Debate. It is currently scheduled to be simulcast on other major broadcast networks including NBC, CBS, FOX, and PBS.

I was not aware of that. Thanks to you and Fybush for clarifying.

 

[KeithE4]

So, you're saying that someone interested in Disney+ programming like Star Wars, Disney kids movies, and alike would also like ESPN bundled?
No, it doesn't work that way. Just because two divisions are under one larger corporate umbrella, doesn't mean one division appealing to a completely difference audience gets 'thrown in 'just because.

It would be a 4th separate service, no different than the three currently offered. It would be priced separately, with maybe a separate bundle with ESPN+. No need for a requirement that Disney+ and Hulu+ subscribers take ESPN, and most probably wouldn't want it. The cost for the ESPN networks would have to be at least $25/month to cover the loss of those that currently pay for it and don't watch it.

 

[K.M. Richards]

The cost for the ESPN networks would have to be at least $25/month to cover the loss of those that currently pay for it and don't watch it.

Good way to see if ESPN really is as valuable as Disney says it is during these retransmission agreements.

 

[nomadcowatbk]

what are the biggest college FB games on the ESPN family this weekend?