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CNN
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DirecTV is offering compensation to subscribers frustrated by the loss of ESPN and other Disney-owned channels as the blackout continues for a third day.

The company offers credits of at least $20 to customers who use DirecTV, DirecTV Stream and U-Verse services – but customers don’t get the credit automatically. They must go to a special website and request the credit using their account email address. The credit will then appear on a future bill.

The outage, which affects 11 million subscribers, comes just as the college football and NFL seasons are just beginning and the US Open tennis tournament is entering its final days.

“We are pursuing all options to get your channel back,” DirecTV said on its website. “As a thank you for your patience, we are offering you a bill credit until the situation is resolved.”

On Sunday, Disney removed ESPN and other cable channels it owns, such as Freeform and FX, as well as Disney-owned ABC affiliates in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, from DirecTV because the two companies could not agree on a new distribution deal.

“The Walt Disney Co. is once again abdicating any responsibility to consumers, distributors and now the American justice system,” said Rob Thun, chief content officer at DirecTV, in an earlier statement. “They want to continue to pursue maximum profits and dominant control at the expense of consumers – and make it harder for them to choose the shows and sports they want at a reasonable price.”

Disney said in its response that it was “prepared to offer DirecTV the flexibility and terms that we have granted to other distributors. We will not enter into an agreement that undervalues ​​our portfolio of television channels and programs.”

Disney offered DirecTV a sports-focused package that included ESPN’s networks and ABC sports broadcasts, as well as a selection of Disney’s linear channels, along with some of the entertainment giant’s direct-to-consumer services, a person familiar with the matter told CNN.

The breakdown of the talks came at a time when satellite and cable providers are demanding slimmer and more flexible packages from their programming providers that could offer cheaper options to consumers who want a smaller selection of channels.

–CNN’s Liam Reilly contributed to this report.