Disney Channels like ABC and ESPN Have Now Vanished from One Provider
Many cable TV subscribers are very upset because Disney-owned channels have gone dark. See why all this is happening.
Disney Has Gone Dark
Disney is available to many subscribers via cable. In fact, many people access Disney's family of channels through Spectrum. For those unfamiliar with it, Spectrum is the second largest provider in the United States. It has around 14.7 million subscribers.
August 31, 2023, brought about a shocking occurrence for Spectrum subscribers. Many channels blacked out in the middle of programs. All Disney-owned channels including ABC, ESPN, FX, and Freeform and so much more just vanished.
The blackout happened at a terrible time. It interrupted the US Open during Carlos Alcaraz's match as well as the NCAA football game between the University of Florida and Utah. Fans all over will tell you, one does not simply mess with the SEC.
As you can imagine, countless people are frustrated and confused.
What Channels Are Impacted?
According to Spectrum, the blackout impacts the following: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPNU, ESPN News, SEC Network, ACC Network, Longhorn Network, FX, FX Movie Channel, FXX, Freeform, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Mundo, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, BabyTV
It also impacts ABC On Demand programming and the following local ABC stations: ABC7 Chicago, ABC7 Los Angeles, ABC7 New York, ABC7 San Francisco, ABC11 Raleigh-Durham, ABC13 Houston, ABC30 Fresno.
Why is This Happening?
Charter Communications, which owns Spectrum, and Disney have been in negotiations to reach an agreement for rates Charter will pay to continue to provide Spectrum subscribers access to Disney-owned channels.
Disney stated, "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."
Spectrum and Disney cannot reach an agreement.
Clearly, a negotiation was NOT reached. Spectrum posted a statement for customers who want to know why the Disney-owned channels vanished:
"The Walt Disney Company has removed their programming from Spectrum which creates hardship for our customers. We offered Disney a fair deal, yet they are demanding an excessive increase. 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. Spectrum is on your side and fighting to keep costs down while protecting and maximizing customer choice. 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. We apologize for the inconvenience."
Negotiations are still in the works. Hopefully, Spectrum and Disney will strike an agreement soon for the sake of customers.
Are you a Spectrum subscriber? Does the disappearance of all the Disney-owned channels impact you? Let us know in the comments. And, feel free to pass this along to subscribers you know so that they understand what is happening.
I have been a customer for to many years. Do I believe that they are working out a deal to save us money. no. They just want to raise our rates more for poor services. Yes this will NOW impact me with not being able to watch Monday night football games. Nba is about to start. Also missing movies I love to see on Fx.
I am very mad because I am missing. General hospital and Dr. Pol and other shows on those channels. I am thinking about cancelling my pin if the month club from Disney. I am thinking about going to Verizon for my cable.
Reda, I am a spectrum customer and I want to know if they are going to credit my acct for channels I paid extra for and Disney cut off? I don't believe for one minute Charter and Disney are trying to work out an agreement. They are two greedy companies that don't care about loyal customers. I am looking for another company to replace charter if I don't find one I may have to pull out the old antenna!
As a Spectrum customer,yes I was impacted with the loss of stations and will we receive compensation.? Hope a deal can be reached and greed set aside.
Thank you for reading. I hope so too! It’s unfair to subscribers.
Yes I'm leaving ..they sent me a letter telling me about the increase. From $145.00 toc$224.00 . Now THEY WILL NOT ANSWER ANY PHONE DONT BELIEVE ME TRY IT. GOODBYE SPECTRUM. DONT EXPECT THE GOVERMENT TO BAIL YOU OUT
Oh my! That is a big increase. Thank you for sharing.
Spectrum does indeed suck and Disney is no better. Both are ripping the viewing public off. They should be required by law to maintain service while " negotiations" haha, continue.
Spectrum claims they are negotiating to keep their customers rates low. This is a lie because as of Saturday September 2, Spectrum raised my monthly rate. I'm paying a higher bill but receiving LESS channels. WTF
I paid my latest bill but as of now I'm searching for a new provider. Any suggestions????
I want to know how this is going to effect my bill?? I am paying for channels I'm not getting! Also just how much are the rates going to go up?? I'm fed up with all this crap! The prices are way too high for the Crap we are getting!? Maybe time to try something else!!
Two greedy woke companies who are negotiating for.more bucks and don’t give a blank for their customers…miss the tennis and. football but careless for either company!
I am no longer a subscriber
Spectrum is a rip off.Disney is not much better.But what can we do?They are both lying!
Spectrum is ripping off it’s customers!
Spectrum has been robbing us for years, and the fact that they are my only choice for cable in my area is something that government shouldn’t allow. Spectrum should be discounting and refunding some of their high charges during this time. But I doubt they will. And I’m sure that once it is resolved it will be the consumers that will have our bills raised even more.
I believe in consumer power. Money talks. It's obvious spectrum didn't care about us the customer. No notice. Already scheduled new service....my check gets paid out to spectrum, not Disney.
I won't be back spectrum. I had several accounts. Not anymore
Both greedy companies. I will never set foot on Disney property again. Nit because if this, but because of their woke ideas. Walt Disney would be so sad to see what his magical company has turned into. Sad World.
It really sucks. Already paying 280.00 a month for reruns. This is upsetting. Both companies need to meet each other halfway. Do something quick!!!!!.
Spectrum get your act together and settle this. Why is it other cable carriers don’t have this issue and charge way less than you. I am missing the US Open and starting tomorrow will miss all my new shows. Let’s get this settled without higher prices for us. You are making enough money.
I think Disney' going brook becsuse people dont go to theame park any more so their trying to keep from filing bankruptcy. That is all this is im from california and herd that the Disney's theme is losing all kinds of custermer i hope Disney' does have fill bankruptcy it would be the best thing for them.
I did speak to a Spectrum Representative, who said that once the issue is resolved, we will receive some kind of credit for the channels lost during the time period it takes to be resolved. I'll be honest, the only channel I really am hurting for is ESPN. As a huge sports fan, I realize how much I would normally watch that channel. I just hope there's a resolution soon. For everyone's sake.
Unacceptable Spetrum!! You are charging high prices and we get nothing!
This is all unacceptable! Is Spectrum going to reduce our bill for all these days that we are paying for the channels that Disney has cut? We are huge sports fans and EXTREMELY UPSET with Disney and Spectrum!!! We are older and it is difficult for us to understand and get the alternative options.
I think we are going to cut the cord! Both Spectrum and Disney are selfish! Oh by the way are we getting a credit on our spectrum bill?
Both greedy companies have jointly created this crisis to raise their price. Just watch and see. The only way for consumers to deal with the issue is do not buy their products. Or shut up and pay more.
Carolyn
The price of cable is already high. Now Disney wants to make it higher. Maybe a boycott of Disney and all it's products will help them see the light.
Congress . needs to stepup & break up these companies that control so much, cable, gas, electric drugs etc. There is NO middle class.....
I only thought that dish and direct tv had problems like this. Spectrum has always worked with their customers. Disney is being greedy. Please y'all work together. Your companies have more money than some Nations economy's. Come to an agreement soon. If you don't you will both windup losing customers and money.
Spectum already charges too much! They say they are trying to protect their customers!?! I call BS!! I am not going to miss my college football! After checking on costs from other providers that offer streaming… Spectrum is out of line… I’m cutting the cord!!
It is a shame a company as large as Spectrum that charges it's customer an over the top monthly fee couldn't agree to something while they continue negotiations ,in order to keep channels going for the consumer. This is HORRIBLE customer service. All these company have limited the service, yet still raise the prices and deliver ZERO customer service.
Disney one of the largest enterprises will continue squeezing ever nickel out of the little guy....
I watch cable so Disney want us to suffer knowing it's the start of football season this is crazy I will delete my Disney app until I can watch ESPN again sad money is the root of all evil.!!
How would these companies react if their phone carrier just cut off their access mid-sentence & demanded that they purchase internet & would charge a fee for peak time?
Settle the issue at least thru football season. As a spectrum customer I will gladly pay 2 dollars more a month. If not I have to go to sling for 51 or fubo for 75. Settle you greedy excs give the people a break. I will boycott all Disney products till settled
I guess we will just get rid of cable altogether and go back to watching only the channels we get via an old fashion antenna. Time to break up the cable companies an other monopoly’s
I am a spectrum customer and I am upset with Disney as well. It's shameful to loose so many channels for so long I hope and trust that a fair deal will be made soon
On the contrary Tom. This speaks to Disney's woke agenda. It has crushed their Disney brand, along with the theme parks. They have lost untold millions, and now the only cash they can raise is through ESPN and the Sports channels they control.
Disney "needs" more money from Charter/Spectrum because the ESPN/Sports Brand is the only thing they have going at the moment. Their woke ideals have crushed the Disney brand along with the theme parks. I am a sports nut and like a drug addict will get the sports channels however I can, but it saddens me to know my money is going to support Disney's woke agenda
Disney is already getting rich, now they want Spectrum to charge us more to watch their channels. This is going to affect Disney and Spectrum. Shame on you Disney, you are selfish!!
We pay a lot for our cable service and Iove is sports and am disabled so this effects me greatly right at the start of football season. Very unhappy with both companies.
Companies the size of Disney with this much control over so many other Companies need to be broke up. Contact your local Congressman or Senator.
I’m a spectrum customer and it’s not fair we have to suffer from charter and Disney that is not fair and right and they need to make the deal asap so everything can go back to normal
It just shows that how American companies treat their customers. They raise their rates anytime they want and you as a customer can't do anything about it...Thanks for all you do You are truly great Americans
we have never had any problem with spectrum unlike with direct tv being in central florida whenever we had a thunder storm with direct tv there went our reseption also haven't been a disney annual passholder for two years because they've been too strict and charging too much money and also we are on spectrum side
Spectrum just raised our rate. They state that they are upset with Disney because they want more money and Spectrum is trying to keep rates low Ha ha ha ha. Both of them are greedy. We are thinking of cutting the cord.
We are Spectrum customers and our rates are already exorbitant for the service we receive. Disney is out of control. I am happy to see Spectrum fighting back.
I have not had an ABC station since February - I pay my satellite provider more than enough, not like spectrum is poor either. Cable out of control
So how desperate/greedy can Disney be? I pay a substantial amount for Spectrum including Disney+ and this is ridiculous
This wreaks of Ron DeSanctimonious !
I pay 263/ month for Spectrum as well as paying for Disney+/ESPN+. I have no access to any of these options now thanks to 2 very greedy companies. We are just waiting for a green light to make it to our neighborhood to tell Spectrum what they can do with their high rates and crap customer service
Disney is desperate for money.
Yes! I am upset. I pay a high price for Spectrum and we are a family that watches all Disney programming on Spectrum. To have your programming stopped/interrupted without prior warning is not a great business practice!
Have there been failed negotiations with other providers of content? If not, sounds like Disney trying to recover assets from recent failures by different means.