Sports fans were stunned Sunday night after millions of DirecTV subscribers were unable to watch several major sporting events due to a major carrier dispute.

Disney Entertainment channels, including ESPN, were on air during the US Open after both sides were unable to agree on a new broadcast agreement – ​​an issue that resulted in tennis fans being unable to watch the highly anticipated fourth-round match between American Frances Tiafoe and Australian Alexei Popyrin.

Frances Tiafoe reacts to a 4th set winner against Alexei Popyrin on day seven of the 2024 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. (Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports / IMAGN)

Coverage was stopped about half an hour before the game.

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“It is disappointing that fans and viewers across the country will not have the opportunity to see our sport’s greatest athletes at the 2024 US Open due to a pending negotiation between DirecTV and Disney, resulting in the loss of Access to ESPN”, said a statement from the US Open.

“We are confident that this dispute can be resolved as quickly as possible.”

Fans could also watch the game on other streaming services, but as the US Open pointed out, it was “not free on those platforms unless there is a free trial.”

College Football In addition, fans were affected by a power outage ten minutes before the start of the season-opening game between LSU and USC, which was broadcast on ABC.

Southern California Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (No. 7) throws a pass against the LSU Tigers during the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports / IMAGN)

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Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, co-chairmen of Disney Entertainment, and Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, released a joint statement accusing DirecTV of denying coverage to “millions of subscribers” during two major sporting events.

“DirecTV has decided 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 urge DirecTV to do what is in the best interest of its customers and enter into a deal that would immediately restore our programming.”

What you see is a detailed view of a microphone with an ESPN logo on it. (Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images / Getty Images)

DirecTV, which has over 11.3 million subscribers, said Disney offered an extension to keep the channels on the air in exchange for DirecTV waiving any future lawsuits alleging its conduct was anti-competitive.

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“The Walt Disney Co. is once again abdicating any responsibility to consumers, distributors and now the American justice system,” said Rob Thun, DirecTV’s chief content officer, in a statement. “Disney is in the business of creating alternate realities, but this is the real world where we believe you have to earn your way and answer for your own actions. They want to continue to pursue maximum profits and dominant control at the expense of consumers – making it harder for them to choose the shows and sports they want at a reasonable price.”

This is the second year in a row that ESPN will be off the air due to a major dispute with the network. Last year, Disney and Spectrum were at an impasse for nearly two weeks before finally reaching an agreement hours before the first Monday night game of the NFL season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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