The Walt Disney Co. (DIS) -) is finding new ways to ensure customers aren’t missing out on the action.
Disney’s channels, including ESPN, have been unavailable to nearly 15 million subscribers of Charter Communications’ (CHTR) -) cable provider Spectrum since Aug. 31 due to a contract dispute between the two brands.
The timing of the dispute is especially difficult for sports fans with the return of college football as well as the ATP Tour and WTA Tour’s U.S. Open happening over the past week. The NFL also returns on Sept. 7, with ESPN’s first broadcast of “Monday Night Football” happening on Sept. 11.
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Disney has already released a statement letting fans know that they can subscribe to Disney’s streaming service, Hulu, which would allow them to watch the games.
However, Disney seems to be pulling out all the stops to get those affected back to watch the games as one of ESPN’s biggest names, Stephen A. Smith, has also used his platform to direct fans in the right direction.
Smith tweeted on Sept. 5 saying that people are again “coming after the World Wide Leader.” So Smith relayed advice to consumers, including directing them to a Disney website that would direct anyone on how to get access to ESPN.
More Disney/Charter:
- Disney doubles down on Spectrum dispute with call to sign up for Hulu
- ESPN blacked out for millions on huge sports day due to Disney dispute
- Fight with Charter is 'existential' for Disney, Former NBC exec says
And Smith didn’t even limit fans to just Disney’s streaming services. He suggested a bunch that carry ESPN.
“Bottom Line: YOU HAVE CHOICES!!!” Smith wrote on X. “DIRECTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling, Fubo, are all available.”
It’s unclear whether Disney asked Smith to tweet this out or whether the “First Take” host did it under his own accord.
Don’t know if y’all heard all the news going on in the Charter Markets with Spectrum, but folks are once again coming after the World Wide Leader.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) September 5, 2023
Fans currently don’t have access to live games on ESPN Networks — or any content from Disney-Branded Channels Freeform, FX and Nat…
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