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What you should know about the dispute between Disney and TV providers

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Those who tried to tune into DirecTV on Sunday night for the heavyweight clash between No. 12 LSU and No. 23 USC were met with an unexpected greeting just before kickoff: a suspension.

Due to an ongoing carrier fee dispute between Disney and DirecTV, the game was canceled by ABC, resulting in DirecTV users being unable to watch the clash between Garrett Nussmier and Miller Moss in the Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas.

In addition, the ABC ban also applies to all Disney-owned channels, including ESPN, ESPN2 and the other networks in the ESPN family.

REQUIRED READING: LSU vs. USC score today: Live updates, highlights from Week 1 game

Here's what you need to know about tonight's game between the Tigers and Trojans:

Why don't ABC and ESPN work on DirecTV for LSU-USC?

Shortly before kickoff between LSU and USC, ABC suspended DirecTV users due to an ongoing fee dispute between DirecTV and Disney – ABC's parent company. The suspension went into effect shortly after 7 p.m. ET, just as a broadcast of the US Open on ESPN was wrapping up.

As USA TODAY previously reported, DirecTV is looking for “smaller, tailored packages at prices that reflect value to consumers,” according to a statement from DirecTV's Chief Content Officer Rob Thun last week before college football began.

“DirecTV has not yet reached an agreement with Disney. This means that 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 response to X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday.

Watch the LSU vs USC football game live on ESPN+

Disney statement on ABC blackout

Disney issued a detailed statement on Sunday regarding the current suspension of the ESPN family of channels:

“DirecTV has chosen to deny millions of subscribers access to our content just as we move into the final week of the U.S. Open and prepare for college football and the start of the NFL season. While we are open to offering DirecTV the flexibility and terms we have provided 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 top brands in entertainment, news and sports because that is what our viewers expect and deserve. We call on DirecTV to do what is in the best interest of their customers and strike a deal that would immediately restore our programming.”

Watch LSU vs. USC football game live with Fubo (free trial)

DirecTV's statement on the ABC ban

DirecTV released the following statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday evening:

“Just hours before Disney stripped millions of DIRECTV customers of its programming, they demanded that in order to enter into a licensing agreement or extend access to its programming, DIRECTV must waive all allegations that Disney's conduct was anti-competitive,” the statement said.

The Southeastern Conference issued a brief statement on X during Sunday's LSU-USC game:

Which channels are affected?

The entire ESPN family of networks – ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ABC, ACC Network and SEC Network – are affected by the blackout.

How to watch LSU-USC football during the 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

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