Disney channels, including ESPN, could blackout on DirecTV as college football starts

Local DirecTV and DirecTV stream customers (yes, they still exist) may want to prepare themselves.

The satellite broadcaster and its streaming service could be in danger of losing the Disney broadcast channels just in time for the start of college football season on Sept. 1.

It’s a case of déjà vu all over again as carriage disputes between broadcasters and distributors are as common as kickoffs at this time of year.

A blackout would affect Disney’s linear cable networks, including its most popular one of all – ESPN – and with this being Week 1 of the college football season, those DirecTV customers would go without. That would also include Disney-owned ABC affiliates. Locally speaking, it’s unclear whether WEWS (Channel 5) would be affected in Northeast Ohio.

Of course, this all boils down to money, but DirecTV has been offered similar terms as Charter last year, which included streaming options.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Disney channels, including ESPN, could blackout on DirecTV as college football starts