Nearly 15 million Charter Spectrum customers lost several Disney-owned channels — including ESPN and ABC — Thursday when the networks went dark because the two sides are still hammering out a recent carriage deal.
Greater than 25 Disney channels were cut from the cable TV provider as each firms blame the opposite for the service disruption — which began as the school football season and in the midst of the much-anticipated US Open match between Carlos Alcaraz and Lloyd Harris got underway on the sports network.
Because Spectrum — the No. 2 cable TV provider within the country — services the Billie Jean King Tennis Center through the US Open, ESPN broadcasts also went out in Arthur Ashe Stadium, the media workroom and throughout the grounds around 8 p.m.
ABC-owned stations — including ABC 7 Latest York — ESPN and its affiliates and channels like Freeform, FX and National Geographic have all been pulled by Disney, Spectrum said.
The corporate vowed to maintain negotiating in good faith in a message to viewers on the blacked-out channels.
![Millions of Charter Spectrum customers lsot access to Disney owned channels including ABC, FX and ESPN due to the two companies' ongoing carriage deal.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/NYPICHPDPICT000029481009.jpg?w=1024)
![Because Spectrum services the Billie Jean King Tennis Center during the US Open, ESPN also went out in Arthur Ashe Stadium, the media workroom and all around the grounds around 8 p.m.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/NYPICHPDPICT000017886353.jpg?w=1024)
![Disney, meanwhile, told The Post that it's been in ongoing discussions with Charter Communications for some time, but have yet to reach a “new market-based agreement.”](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/NYPICHPDPICT000021938976.jpg?w=1024)
“We offered Disney a good deal, yet they’re demanding an excessive increase,” Spectrum said. “Additionally they wish to limit our ability to offer greater customer alternative in programming packages forcing you to take and pay for channels chances are you’ll not want.
“We’re very dissatisfied with their position, which has negatively impacted our customers.”
Disney, meanwhile, told The Post that it’s been in ongoing discussions with Charter Communications for a while, but have yet to succeed in a “recent market-based agreement.”
“Disney Entertainment has successful deals in place with pay-TV providers of every type and sizes across the country, and the rates and terms we’re looking for on this renewal are driven by the marketplace,” it added.
![Because Spectrum — the No. 2 cable TV provider in the country — services the Billie Jean King Tennis Center during the US Open, ESPN also went out in Arthur Ashe Stadium, the media workroom and all around the grounds around 8 p.m.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/NYPICHPDPICT000021217517.jpg?w=1024)
![ABC-owned stations -- including ABC 7 New York -- ESPN and its affiliates and channels like Freeform, FX and National Geographic have all been pulled by Disney, Spectrum said.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/NYPICHPDPICT000018273396.jpg?w=1024)
“We’re committed to reaching a mutually agreed upon resolution with Charter and we urge them to work with us to attenuate the disruption to their customers.”
Spectrum has about 14.7 million pay-TV subscribers, in line with Hollywood Reporter.
The most recent carriage dispute is certainly one of a handful to involve Disney lately, in line with the outlet.