DirecTV Rejects Disney’s Offer to Turn ABC Back on For Tonight’s Presidential Debate
Earlier today, it looked like DirecTV customers would get a brief reprieve from the blackout of Disney-owned channels.
With the presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris set to take place on ABC tonight, Disney offered to give DirecTV customers a three-hour window to watch the historic event.
“As we announced in May, the ABC News presidential debate will be widely available across broadcast, cable and streaming,” Disney said in a statement. “Although we have yet to reach an agreement [with DirecTV], we are providing a three-hour feed of ABC News coverage to all impacted DirecTV customers at no cost because we want all Americans to be able to view tonight’s debate at this important moment in our history.”
At the time, Disney also revealed that DirecTV had yet to accept the offer.
DirecTV Has Rejected the Offer
As it turns out, customers’ hope for temporary access to ABC was for naught. Hours after Disney’s offer was first reported, DirecTV rejected the proposal.
Photo: Variety
“Unfortunately, returning only Disney’s ABC stations from the entire portfolio of channels for a limited three-hour window will cause customer confusion among those who would briefly see the debate only to lose the channel again shortly after.”
The Carrier Wanted ALL Disney Channels Back For a Week
According to DirecTV, the television provider agreed to turn ABC back on for the debate if Disney would “restore all its channels across platforms ” through next week’s Monday Night Football Game.
In addition to next week’s NFL matchup, the counter-proposal would have given DirecTV customers the ability to watch both the upcoming weekend slate of college football games and the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, which are set to air on Sunday, September 15, on ABC.
“The Walt Disney Co. flat-out rejected DirecTV’s offer,” the service provider said.
Customers Can Still Watch the Debate
While DirecTV customers will not be able to watch tonight’s debate on ABC, they can still tune in on Disney’s streaming platforms and a bevy of other networks that are set to simulcast the event.
Photo: Disney
As the deadlock between DirecTV and Disney enters its second week, both sides seem to be digging in. Hopefully, however, DirecTV customers will get a resolution soon.
