Disney channels blacked out on Dish in dispute

Disney-owned TV channels were "yanked off Dish Network’s satellite television and Sling TV services" for customers across the U.S. early Saturday morning after the two companies "failed to reach a carriage-renewal deal" Friday. Networks no longer available include ESPN and its affiliated channels, as well as ABC local stations in eight markets. The two companies’ previous carriage contract expired at midnight PT on Sept. 30. Dish said that Disney asked for a $1B "increase in fees and declined the pay-TV operator’s offer for a contract extension." Dish also accused Disney of "initiating the channel blackout and 'hold[ing] viewers hostage for negotiation leverage'" (VARIETY.com, 10/1). Dish and Sling have "more than 10 million combined subscribers who will not have access now to college football games and 'Monday Night Football' on ESPN, among other programming, at the very least over the next few days" (THEATHLETIC.com, 10/1).