Amazon is reportedly in talks with Disney to work on the streaming version of ESPN and potentially acquire a minority stake in the sports network.
Disney CEO Bob Iger's search for equity partners for ESPN could result in Amazon acquiring a minority stake in the network to aid in the development of a direct-to-consumer version, joining other potential partners such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, and Verizon.
Walt Disney has pulled its channels, including ABC stations and ESPN, from Charter Spectrum due to a distribution fee dispute, leaving nearly 15 million subscribers without access to popular programming such as "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune."
Disney's TV channels, including ABC, ESPN, FX, and Freeform, have been blacked out on Charter Spectrum, the US's second-largest cable TV provider, impacting millions of subscribers and creating a significant carriage dispute between the two companies.
Millions of college football fans were disappointed when Spectrum customers were unable to watch the Florida vs. Utah game and other Disney-owned channels due to contentious carriage fee negotiations between Spectrum and Disney.
Charter Communications and Disney are engaging in a dispute over programming costs and streaming services, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for the media industry as a whole.
Disney has urged Charter Communications customers to consider switching pay-TV services if they want access to ESPN and other networks, as the carriage dispute between the two companies continues. Disney also highlighted that customers have numerous options, including competing pay-TV providers and TV streaming services.
Disney expresses interest in potentially doing a deal with Charter Communications, but Charter plans to leave the video business and focus on wireless and broadband services, as negotiations with Disney become more contentious and Spectrum customers are referred to FuboTV.
Disney and ESPN are urging Spectrum cable customers to sign up for Hulu with live TV in order to regain access to ESPN and other Disney channels, following a dispute between Charter Communications and Disney Entertainment that has resulted in blackouts for Spectrum customers.
Disney's ongoing fight with Charter Communications over the placement of ESPN and other channels on Spectrum cable has escalated, with Stephen A. Smith publicly supporting Disney's position on social media.
Spectrum customers can no longer access ESPN due to a contract dispute, but they can still watch ESPN programming through live Internet TV streaming services such as fuboTV, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV, all of which offer free trials.
Disney's Linear Networks division, which includes ESPN and other channels, has been struggling with declining viewership and revenue, prompting management to explore strategic alternatives and potential partnerships to transition into a more streaming-oriented business.
Charter Communications CEO Chris Winfrey warns that the company is prepared to explore alternative video options if it fails to reach a new agreement with Disney, while expressing a desire to get a deal done to benefit both companies and their customers.
Charter CEO Chris Winfrey stated that the ongoing carriage fight with Disney could result in a leaner, ESPN-free TV bundle for Spectrum customers, potentially leading to a smaller but more loyal customer base.
New York and North Carolina governors are urging Charter Spectrum and Disney to resolve their ongoing dispute and provide refunds to the impacted TV customers while negotiations continue.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is urging Spectrum to issue refunds to customers who are unable to access ESPN and other channels during the ongoing dispute with Disney, and she has directed the Department of Public Service to ensure that Spectrum delivers these refunds, while also calling on Disney to provide its programming to Spectrum customers during the negotiations.
Charter Communications and Disney are expected to reach a deal ahead of "Monday Night Football" that would end the blackout dispute, allowing Charter cable customers to watch the game.
Walt Disney Co. and Charter Communications have reached an agreement that restores Disney channels to Charter's pay-TV service, with Charter gaining the ability to offer Disney's ad-supported streaming apps and Disney programming having access to Charter's television service, preserving the cable bundle for now.
The new carriage agreement between Disney and Charter Communications is seen as a win for both parties, with Disney gaining additional revenue through new distribution channels and Charter saving on unwanted linear networks. However, there are concerns about the impact on the broader entertainment industry and the future of linear TV.
Charter Spectrum cable is providing refunds to eligible customers affected by the blackout of Walt Disney Co. channels, following a dispute over the value and packaging of Disney's channels.
/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/ZYZSIA5LEVP6LAJ757BBTT3JF4.jpg)