DirecTV's ESPN and ABC blackout for U.S. Open, college football has sports fans absolutely furious

We’ve seen this happen a number of times over the years: a cable carrier gets into a dispute with a set of networks, and one side or the other blacks out to force the hand of its opponent.

On Sunday, it was DirecTV and ESPN. With their dispute over a new carriage agreement, ESPN, ABC and Disney channels went dark before Frances Tiafoe played at the U.S. Open and right before LSU and USC played in college football.

Not great! And this is just a preview of what could come given the upcoming NFL schedule.

Fans were so, so mad on Sunday:

Hey @DIRECTV if I wake up tomorrow without ESPN…I’m gone. It’s just that simple.

— Mike Baxter (@mike_baxter22) September 1, 2024

What @directv just did is grimey. To do this to your customers in the middle of the US Open, MLB, and college football on a holiday weekend when millions of people are warching @espn is bad business for YOUR customers.

— Nicole (@nikkinicole1908) September 1, 2024

Hey @directv you just lost a customer. Thanks for giving no warning that ABC/ESPN was pulling their programming. Back to YouTube TV for me.

— MM Noles (@McGinnLaw1) September 1, 2024

I’m aware that there are more pressing problems in the world but I’m sick of these tv stations and providers wars. I have DirecTV. Mainly for sports and they’re in a war with ESPN as football season starts. WTF!

— Jeffrey Brower (@JeffreyBrower1) September 2, 2024

If ESPN isn’t back on my TV by tomorrow morning, that’s the end of the line for me @DIRECTV

FIGURE IT OUT!!!

— Jeff Kowalski (@jjbrwrsfan) September 1, 2024

WTF Directv and ESPN. pic.twitter.com/4RSyAn429L

— Thomas B (@BaseballThomasB) September 1, 2024