BNR – Walt Disney advised Charter Communications’ Spectrum cable customers to consider switching to Hulu Live TV for their needs.
Customers have been facing a blackout of ABC, ESPN, and other Disney-owned channels since Thursday due to a distribution dispute.
In an official blog post, Disney expressed hope for an agreement to restore access to its channels on Charter’s platform.
While negotiations are ongoing, Disney has proposed that Spectrum subscribers explore Hulu + Live TV. The streaming service offers several channels, including ESPN, ABC, Disney+, and more. Additionally, Disney holds a majority stake in Hulu.
Disney clarified in a statement that despite the current disagreement, consumers have multiple alternatives, including Hulu + Live TV.
Customers with Many Alternatives
According to Disney, customers have many options to enjoy the high-quality programmes for which Disney Entertainment is renowned. The blog post emphasised the simplicity of subscribing to Hulu + Live TV, highlighting that it requires no contract.
Furthermore, the subscription does not require a cable box and has no lengthy waiting period.
This recommendation has also been published on Disney’s various social media platforms.
The conflict between Charter and Disney arises partially from the fees Disney is requesting for its content. The situation is compounded by the declining viewership of cable TV and the rising of streaming services.
Spectrum Dispute Causes Disruptions
Last week, Disney abruptly withdrew its channels from Charter’s Spectrum cable service, causing disruption during live sports events. The disruption occurred during the US Open tennis coverage and college football.
Charter’s CEO, Christopher Winfrey, stated that this dispute differs from usual carriage disputes.
He further presented two clear options: a new collaborative streaming model or moving on from the partnership altogether.
According to Charter, it has been paying Disney approximately $2.2 billion in annual programming expenses, excluding ad revenue.
Charter’s Spectrum TV service serves around 14.7 million subscribers across major markets, including Los Angeles and New York.
