On Sunday evening, a carriage dispute erupted between Disney and DirecTV, resulting in Disney’s linear channels, including ABC, FX, National Geographic, Disney Channel, and ESPN, being blacked out and now unavailable to DirecTV customers.

Negotiations between the two companies are still ongoing, though both companies have put out public statements blaming each other for the lack of an agreement.

Disney’s executives have stated:

“DirecTV chose to deny millions of subscribers access to our content just as we head into the final week of the US Open and gear up for college football and the opening of the NFL season.  While we’re open to offering DirecTV flexibility and terms which we’ve extended to other distributors, we will not enter into an agreement that undervalues our portfolio of television channels and programs. We invest significantly to deliver the No. 1 brands in entertainment, news and sports because that’s what our viewers expect and deserve. We urge DirecTV to do what’s in the best interest of their customers and finalize a deal that would immediately restore our programming,”

While DirecTV has said in a statement regarding the dispute:

“The Walt Disney Co. is once again refusing any accountability to consumers, distribution partners, and now the American judicial system.  Disney is in the business of creating alternate realities, but this is the real world where we believe you earn your way and must answer for your own actions. They want to continue to chase maximum profits and dominant control at the expense of consumers – making it harder for them to select the shows and sports they want at a reasonable price.”

Regardless of who’s to “blame”, unfortunately, DirecTV customers are now unable to watch several Disney channels, which they had paid DirecTV for, but due to their contract expiring, they no longer have the right to broadcast them.

The good news for DirecTV customers is that you can make a claim to get $20 back while the dispute is ongoing.

To redeem this one-off bonus, simply:

• Go to TVPromise.com.
• Select your TV service from the drop-down menu and enter your Zip Code.
• Select the Search button to check for service disruption in your area and see if you’re eligible for a one-time credit offer.
  Note: If there is no service disruption in your area, you will not qualify for a credit.
• If you qualify for a bill credit, go to the Explore bill credits section of the TV Promise page and select the appropriate button to initiate a credit.

After filling in this form, if eligible, the offer will be credited to your account, though credits may take up to two billing cycles to show on your DIRECTV bill.

This offer is only available while the dispute is ongoing, so if they make a new agreement and the service is resumed, you won’t be able to claim it. I’d suggest doing it today to ensure you get the $20 credit.

Roger’s Take:  It’s important to note that this offer has to be claimed. It’s not being offered automatically since DirecTV is trying to keep customers’ money for services it charges for but is no longer offering.  It’s unclear how long this dispute will go on for, or if it can even be resolved, since cable television viewership is in decline and Disney is focusing its efforts on streaming. It’s not guaranteed that these channels will return, though if they aren’t, DirecTV will need to lower its price to reflect the loss of these channels.

Are you going to claim your $20 back?  Let me know on social media!

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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