Here’s How Minnesota DirecTV Customers Can Get Substantial Bill Credit Amid ABC/Disney Blackout
Minnesota DirecTV customers who are fans of Disney-owned TV channels were recently met with blackout messages due to a contract dispute between the two companies.
The distribution contract between DirecTV and Disney, which owns cable/satellite channels like ESPN, Disney Channel, and (also available over the air) ABC, has ended without a renewal.
This includes local channels like the Twin Cities ABC station KSTP and Duluth ABC affiliate WDIO. These channels are still available using an over-the-air antenna, if you happen to have one of those (or go out and get one).
While the two sides fight it out, customers are left without access to these channels and a static message that simply reads "Our contract with Disney, the parent company of this channel, has expired. We appreciate your patience while we negotiate to offer you greater flexibility, choice, and value". On the lower part of the screen is a QR code for a website that offers some basic information.
As CBS News reports, DirecTV alleges Disney is "taking an anti-consumer approach" with their proposed new contract, which looks to bundle services together. DirecTV is looking to negotiate a deal that will offer tiered offerings to customers and the ability to choose different viewing packages, saying this offers more choice and flexibility to customers - albeit opponents say it would "shortchange the value" of some of Disney's channels.
Contract renewal disputes happen like this regularly between cable and satellite companies and content companies. Sometimes these disputes last days, while others can last weeks or longer.
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As the fall TV season gets underway and the NFL season begins, access to new shows and sports content like college football and Monday Night Football are all currently inaccessible on DirecTV and DirecTV Stream. For those that still have things like Hulu or ESPN+, access to some content like this is still possible, but some shows are not available until the next day.
In the wake of this disruption, DirecTV announced what they refer to as a one-time $20 bill credit for subscribers to their online streaming service and satellite service. To access the credit, customers should visit this page on the DirecTV website, where they will be directed to specify which DirecTV service they have and their billing zip code.
From there, customers can "explore bill credits", where they will be prompted to enter the email address on file for their account. Once inputted, a confirmation email should be expected within 5-7 business days and a credit of $20 should be applied within the next two billing cycles.
A note once you submit your email address note "One credit allowed per billing cycle". That said, if the dispute and outage continue into another month, it remains unclear if a new credit will be made available. I think the end goal for all sides is for the dispute to end before that happens. But that remains to be seen at this time.
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Gallery Credit: Emma Stefansky