ESPN networks go darkish on Charter Spectrum cable methods on busy evening for sports

ESPN is amongst quite a lot of Disney Entertainment channels which have gone darkish on Charter Spectrum cable methods.

The channels went off the air Thursday evening because of a carriage dispute between the nation’s second-largest cable TV supplier – which is the most important service in New York and Los Angeles, amongst quite a few different markets – and Disney.

ESPN was carrying a school soccer recreation between Florida and No. 14 Utah whereas ESPN2 was displaying the U.S. Open tennis event, together with the second-round match between top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz and Lloyd Harris, when the channels went darkish for Charter Spectrum’s 14.7 million subscribers.

There had been additionally school soccer video games on SEC Network, ACC Network and ESPNU.

The transfer angered sports followers, and the U.S. Tennis Association wasn’t happy with the timing.

“We’re very disappointed for our fans and viewers around the country that Spectrum and Charter could not resolve their dispute with Disney, resulting in a loss of ESPN coverage of Thursday night’s matches. We’re very hopeful that this dispute can be resolved as quickly as possible,” USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier stated in an announcement.

Both Charter Spectrum and the Walt Disney Co. stated in statements that negotiations have been occurring for some time.

Besides all ESPN community channels, ABC-owned stations, Disney-branded channels, Freeform, FX and National Geographic channel have gone darkish on Charter Spectrum.

“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,” Disney Entertainment stated in an announcement.

“We offered Disney a fair deal, yet they are demanding an excessive increase,” Charter Spectrum stated in a notice to clients. “They also want to limit our ability to provide greater customer choice in programming packages forcing you to take and pay for channels you may not want. 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.”

ESPN historically has had the very best carriage charges for cable corporations. According to S&P Global, Disney will get a mean of $2.20 billion per yr from being carried on Charter Spectrum underneath its 2019 carriage deal.