ESPN Announces Major Update on Sudden DirecTV Outage

DirecTV platforms lost access to Disney-owned channels, such as ESPN and ABC, on Sunday after negotiations for a new distribution deal fell apart.

The immediate blackout affected DirecTV's nearly 11 million subscribers and began just before Sunday's Top 25 clash between No. 23 USC and No. 13 LSU. Many were also tuned in to the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York.

The Walt Disney Company and ESPN published a statement on Sunday, taking a firm stance.

"DirecTV chose to deny millions of subscribers access to our content just as we head into the final week of the US Open and gear up for college football and the opening of the NFL season," the statement from executives Dana Walden, Alan Bergman and Jimmy Pitaro read. "While we’re open to offering DirecTV flexibility and terms which we’ve extended to other distributors, we will not enter into an agreement that undervalues our portfolio of television channels and programs. We invest significantly to deliver the No. 1 brands in entertainment, news and sports because that’s what our viewers expect and deserve. We urge DirecTV to do what’s in the best interest of their customers and finalize a deal that would immediately restore our programming."

DirecTV has yet to respond to the statement, but time is of the essence with the NFL season set to kick off this week.

ESPN also carries Monday Night Football, which is set to make its season debut on September 9 with Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets taking on the San Francisco 49ers.

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