ABC, ESPN and other Disney networks go dark on Dish and Sling TV

Disney channels, including local ABC stations, are no longer available on the two satellite TV providers. Disney had a carriage contract that expired at 3AM on October 1st. Disney channels were removed from both platforms for the time being. Both sides are blaming each other for the power going out.

Disney walked away from the negotiation table after rejecting the proposal from Dish. Without a contract in place, we are legally required to remove Disney channels from our service.

Disney has held viewers hostage for negotiation leverage, according to Dish. Disney wanted Disney channels to be included in packages that don't include sports channels. Disney wanted to change a policy that allowed Dish subscribers to save money by removing local channels. Disney wants to force most Dish customers in their ABC markets to pay for local channels.

Disney said it didn't receive a fair offer to keep the likes of National Geographic and Disney on their channels. "After months of negotiating in good faith, Dish has declined to reach a fair, market-based agreement with us for continued distribution of our networks." The rates and terms we are seeking reflect the marketplace and have been the foundation for numerous successful deals with pay-TV providers. We urge Dish to work with us in order to minimize the disruption to their customers in order to reach a fair resolution.

The Disney networks that Dish had to remove from its platforms are: Local ABC stations in Chicago, California, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Raleigh, North Carolina, and San Francisco were among the ones that were dropped.

Disney channels went dark on a major live TV streaming service for the second time in a year. The carriage fee dispute with Disney caused them to lose access to them. The standoff ended the next day as local ABC channels came back.

Other media giants have battled with Dish. In the year 2018, Cinemax and HBO were no longer on the air. After reaching an agreement with WarnerMedia, the channels became available on Dish again last year. The channels are not available on the service.