Disney pulled ESPN and other Disney-owned channels from Spectrum due to a contract dispute over carriage fees and terms. Disney wanted higher fees and market-based terms for its programming, while Spectrum (Charter Communications) aimed for better value and more flexible packaging options, including ad-supported versions of Disney+ and ESPN+ to offer consumers at no extra cost. The disagreement led to a blackout affecting nearly 15 million Spectrum subscribers right before major sports events. The dispute reflects broader tension in the industry as cable companies face declining subscribers and try to adapt to streaming trends. After about 10 days, Disney and Spectrum reached a new agreement restoring these channels and offering more streaming options to subscribers.
