Why isn’t ABC working on DirecTV? The channel was dropped before LSU-USC due to the Disney conflict

Those looking to watch Sunday night’s heavyweight game between No. 12 LSU and No. 23 USC on DirecTV were met with an unexpected welcome just before kickoff: a power outage.

Due to an ongoing dispute over carriage fees between Disney and DirecTV, the game has been pulled from ABC in some markets. This means that DirecTV users in markets where Disney owns the network will not be able to watch the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic on cable.

Additionally, the blackout also applies to all Disney-owned channels, including ESPN, ESPN2 and other channels in the ESPN family of networks.

REQUIRED READING: LSU vs USC score today: Live updates, highlights from Week 1 game

Here’s what you need to know about the dispute between DirecTV and Disney:

Why don’t ABC and ESPN work on DirecTV?

Just before the LSU-USC kickoff, ABC implemented a service blackout for DirecTV users in several markets due to an ongoing dispute over transmission fees between DirecTV and Disney, ABC’s parent company. The blackout went into effect shortly after 7 p.m. ET, just as a U.S. Open broadcast was wrapping up on ESPN.

As previously reported by USA TODAY, DirecTV is looking for “smaller, more personalized packages at prices that reflect value for consumers,” according to a statement from DirecTV chief content officer Rob Thun last week before the start of college football.

“DirecTV has not yet reached an agreement with Disney. This means that Disney-owned channels, including local ABC stations in eight markets, ESPN and other general entertainment and regional sports channels are currently unavailable,” DirecTV Help wrote in a response on X (formerly Twitter) Saturday.

Watch LSU vs. USC Football Game Live on ESPN+

Disney Statement on ABC Outage

Disney released a lengthy statement on Sunday regarding the current outage of the ESPN family of networks:

“DirecTV has chosen to deny millions of subscribers access to our content as we enter the final week of the U.S. Open and prepare for college football and the NFL season opener. While we are willing to offer DirecTV the flexibility and terms we have extended to other distributors, we will not enter into a deal that undervalues ​​our portfolio of television channels and programming.

“We are investing significantly to deliver the #1 brands in entertainment, news and sports because that is what our viewers expect and deserve. We urge DirecTV to do what is in the best interest of its customers and finalize an agreement that would immediately restore our programming.”

Via Front Office Sports:

Watch LSU vs. USC Football Game Live Stream with Fubo (Free Trial)

DirecTV Statement on ABC Outage

DirecTV released the following statement on X (formerly Twitter) Sunday evening:

“Just hours before Disney pulled its programming from millions of DirecTV customers, they demanded that in order to reach a licensing agreement or expand access to its programming, DirecTV agree to waive any claim that Disney’s conduct is anticompetitive,” the statement read.

Contacted by USA TODAY Network, DirecTV provided the following statement from Thun:

“Walt Disney Co. is once again refusing to be accountable to consumers, distribution partners and now the American justice system,” Thun said. “Disney is in the business of creating alternate realities, but we live in a real world where we believe everyone should earn a living and be accountable for their actions. Walt Disney wants to continue to pursue maximum profits and dominant control at the expense of consumers, making it harder for them to select the shows and sports they want at a reasonable price.”

“Consumer frustration is at an all-time high as Disney moves its best producers, most innovative shows, best teams, conferences and entire leagues to its direct-to-consumer services, while forcing customers to pay multiple times for the same programming across multiple Disney platforms,” Thun continued. “Disney’s only magic is to drive up prices while making its content disappear.”

ESPN Statement on DirecTV-Disney Dispute

Below is a joint statement from Disney Entertainment Co-Chairmen Dana Walden and Alan Bergman and ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro on the ongoing dispute between Disney and DirecTV.

“DirecTV has chosen to deny millions of subscribers access to our content as we enter the final week of the U.S. Open and prepare for college football and the NFL season opener. While we are willing to offer DirecTV the flexibility and terms we have extended to other distributors, we will not enter into a deal that undervalues ​​our portfolio of television channels and programming.

“We are investing significantly to deliver the #1 brands in entertainment, news and sports because that is what our viewers expect and deserve. We urge DirecTV to do what is in the best interest of its customers and finalize an agreement that would immediately restore our programming.”

Which channels are affected?

All ESPN family channels — ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ACC Network and SEC Network — are affected by the blackout. Additionally, DirecTV viewers in eight markets where Disney owns ABC will be unable to watch the channel.

The ABC network is owned by Disney in the following markets:

How to Watch LSU-USC Football During DirecTV Outage

You can stream LSU-USC on ESPN+ or on Fubo, which carries ABC and offers a free trial to some users.

This story will be updated

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ABC not working on DirecTV: What to know as Disney and its TV provider feud