(Reuters) – Satellite tv for pc TV supplier DirecTV has filed a criticism with the U.S. Federal Communications Fee (FCC), accusing Walt Disney (NYSE:) of failing to barter in good religion and interesting in anticompetitive habits, the corporate mentioned on Sunday.
Within the criticism, DirecTV mentioned Disney has imposed unreasonable circumstances on the renewal of their distribution settlement, together with calls for for bundling and penetration necessities {that a} federal court docket lately dominated illegal.
DirecTV additionally mentioned that Disney has insisted on a “fat bundle” of channels, forcing the service to supply much less standard programming whereas Disney offers shoppers with cheaper, “skinnier” packages.
A Disney spokesperson, in response, mentioned the corporate continues to barter with DirecTV and urged it to finalize a deal that will prioritize prospects.
“We continue to negotiate with DirecTV to restore access to our content as quickly as possible,” the spokesperson mentioned in an emailed assertion to Reuters.
The dispute has already resulted in over 11 million DirecTV subscribers dropping entry to Disney-owned channels, together with ESPN, forward of the Nationwide Soccer League season.
The standoff comes amid a broader debate over the way forward for bundled programming within the streaming period, with DirecTV searching for to supply extra versatile, lower-cost packages with out ESPN, whereas Disney argues for safeguarding its flagship networks.
