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Those looking to tune into Sunday night’s heavyweight matchup between No. 12 LSU and No. 23 USC on DirecTV were greeted with an unexpected welcome just before kickoff: blackout.
Due to an ongoing dispute regarding carrier fees between Disney and DirecTV, the game was dropped from ABC and is resulting in DirecTV users not being able to watch the clash between Garrett Nussmier and Miller Moss in Las Vegas in the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic.
In addition, the blackout of ABC also applies to all of the Disney owned channels, including ESPN, ESPN2 and the other ESPN family of networks.
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Here’s what you need to know on how to tonight’s game between the Tigers and Trojans:
Why ABC, ESPN not working on DirecTV for LSU-USC?
Just before kickoff between LSU-USC, ABC went into a blackout for DirecTV users because of an ongoing carrier fee dispute between DirecTV and Disney — the parent company of ABC. The blackout went into effect shortly after 7 p.m. ET, just as a broadcast of the U.S. Open was finishing up on ESPN.
As previously reported by USA TODAY, DirecTV is looking for “smaller, more tailored packages at prices that reflect value to consumers” per a statement from DirecTV’s chief content officer, Rob Thun, last week prior to the start of college football.
“DirecTV has not yet reached an agreement with Disney. This means Disney-owned channels, including local ABC stations in 8 markets, ESPN, and other general entertainment and regional sports channels are currently unavailable. Visit spr.ly/6014mQYve to learn more,” DirecTV Help wrote in a reply on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday.
Watch LSU vs. USC football live on ESPN+
Disney Statement on ABC Blackout
Disney issued a lengthy statement in regard to the current blackout of the ESPN family of networks on Sunday:
“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.”
Watch LSU vs. USC football live with Fubo (free trial)
DirecTV statement on ABC blackout
DirecTV released the following statement on X (formerly Twitter) Sunday night:
“Just hours before Disney pulled its programming from millions of DIRECTV customers, they demanded that to reach any licensing agreement or extend access to its programming, DIRECTV must agree to waive all claims that Disney’s behavior is anti-competitive,” the statement read.
The Southeastern Conference made a brief statement on X during the LSU-USC game Sunday:
What channels are affected?
The entire ESPN family of networks — ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ABC, ACC Network and SEC Network — are being affected by the blackout.
How to watch LSU-USC football during DirecTV blackout?
You can stream LSU-USC on ESPN+ or on Fubo, which carries ABC and offers a free trial to select users.
This story will be updated