Where to Watch ESPN if You’re a Charter Spectrum Customer

For the currently frustrated sports fanatics otherwise known as Spectrum customers, this past weekend was likely a doozy.

Due to a dispute between the Walt Disney Company and Charter, the parent company behind Spectrum, Disney removed all of its programming from Spectrum, per The Los Angeles Times. Said programming includes ESPN, Disney Channel, FX, Freeform, National Geographic, and more.

According to NPR, the dispute stems from cable companies (like Charter’s Spectrum) paying media companies (like Disney) to carry their channels. However, Disney requested higher fees, which Charter agreed to, but only if their customers received “free access to streaming versions of Disney channels” in return. As noted by NPR TV critic Eric Deggans, “that has been proven to be a deal-breaker.”

The outlet reported that customers have been led to a landing page — with the URL “disneyespnfairdeal.com” — that says “the Walt Disney Company has removed their programming from Spectrum.”

“We offered Disney a fair deal, and yet they continue to demand an excessive increase,” the TV service noted.

In a press release shared by the Walt Disney Company, the company said, “Disney deeply values its relationship with its viewers and is hopeful Charter is ready to have more conversations that will restore access to its content to Spectrum customers as quickly as possible.”

According to the Associated Press, nearly 15 million cable TV subscribers were left without ESPN and other Disney channels. Disney pulled the plug on Aug. 31, per The Hollywood Reporter.

If you happen to be one of the 15 million customers worried about missing out on the new 2023-2024 NFL season through popular segments like Thursday Night Football and Monday Night Football — the latter of which launches its 2023 season premiere tomorrow, Sept. 11 — read on to learn how you can still access ESPN.

Where to watch ESPN if you’re a Spectrum customer:

Thankfully, Spectrum customers can still tune into ESPN. As shared in Disney’s press release, ESPN is available through Hulu + Live TV. According to the release, the service “also comes with Hulu’s deep library of exclusive TV shows and hit films, ad-supported Disney+ and ESPN+ all in one plan.” The service starts at $69.99/month.

Additionally, other streaming services such as DIRECTV Stream, YouTube TV, Sling and Fubo offer Disney programming, which includes ESPN.

While ESPN+ can be purchased on its own, according to TechHive, an ESPN+ subscription will not grant subscribers  a streaming simulcast of ESPN available to basic cable viewers.

As for ABC Owned Television Stations — Disney emphasized that they are always available at no cost to the consumer.