DirecTV rejects Disney's proposal to bring back a channel

Disney was set to turn part of its feedback on for DirecTV customers tonight — while DirecTV seemed not interested in it. Disney-owned American Broadcasting Company (ABC) News is set to host tonight’s presidential debate, and Disney offered to make the channel available to DirecTV subscribers for three hours free of cost.

Disney spokespeople April Carretta and Bridget Osterhaus said that Disney wanted to give the feed “at no cost because we want all Americans to be able to view tonight’s debate at this important moment in our history.”

However, DirecTV rejected the offer, saying it would “cause customer confusion” when those channels quickly disappeared again. In an unsigned statement on its website, DirecTV stated that it offered to restore Disney’s channels only if they would stay live through September 17, enough time for customers to view the Emmys and Monday Night Football.

The debate is being simulcast on various other networks and online, though, so DirecTV subscribers would still be able to see the event. Meanwhile, ABC News may have fewer eyes on a tentpole broadcast.

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ABC, Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN), and other Disney channels haven’t been available to DirecTV subscribers since September 1. The two companies have been in a contract dispute over the terms and fees associated with distributing Disney’s channels.

Disney said that DirecTV is undervaluing its channels, while DirecTV stated that Disney’s terms aren’t providing it enough flexibility to produce different packages for customers.

The two companies have periodically released statements sniping at one another in the week since. However, DirecTV customers have missed out on coverage of the US Open and NFL season opener.

Disney said that negotiations continue with DirecTV. “We remain at the table negotiating with DirecTV and the restoration of our programming to their subscribers is completely within their control,” Carretta and Osterhaus added.