Dish and its Sling TV streaming service dropped Disney’s channel package after the companies failed to reach a contract agreement (through Deadline). In an announcement on his siteDish says Disney Channel, ESPN, FX, Freeform, National Geographic and some local ABC networks will no longer be available on its services after the contract expired early this morning.
Dish blames Disney for the dispute, claiming the company demanded $1 billion in compensation and “walked away from the negotiating table.” The satellite provider adds that Disney wanted Dish to include ESPN, ESPN2, and local ABC stations at an additional cost in packages that don’t include them.
“Disney has abused its market position to raise rates without regard for the audience’s viewing experience,” Dish TV executive vice president Brian Neylon said in a statement. “Clearly Disney insists on prioritizing greed over American viewers.”
In a statement provided to The edgeDisney points the finger at Dish, stating that the company “refused to reach a fair, market-based agreement” and that the “rates and terms” it asks “reflect the market and have been the foundation for countless successful deals with pay-TV suppliers of all shapes and sizes across the country.”
As a result of the disagreement, the following channels are no longer available on Dish or Sling TV: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN Deportes, Disney Channel, Disney Jr., Disney XD, Freeform, FX, FXX, FXM, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Mundo, ACC Network, SEC Network, Longhorn Network, Baby TV, Chicago, IL (WLS), Fresno, CA (KFSN), Houston, TX (KTRK), Los Angeles, CA (KABC), New York, NY (WABC), Philadelphia, PA (WPVI), Raleigh, NC (WTVD), and San Francisco, CA (KGO).
