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NY Post
New York Post
8 Sep 2023


NextImg:Hochul puts Charter on notice over refunds during Disney dispute

Gov. Kathy Hochul put Charter Communications on notice Friday — telling the cable company it better issue refunds to customers who have had Disney-owned channels such as ABC and ESPN turned off during a contract dispute.

“It’s simple: if you pay your cable bill, you deserve to get the services you pay for,” said Hochul, as she ordered the state’s cable regulator to step in and make sure cable users were getting their money back over the Disney blackout.

“An ongoing corporate dispute is forcing customers to miss some of the highest profile televised events of the year – the least these companies can do is provide a refund.”

ESPN, ABC and other Disney channels went dark at the end of August on Spectrum — leaving its 15 million customers unable to watch the US Open, football and other programming.

Disney and Charter, the number two cable subscriber in the country, have reached a stalemate in their “carriage dispute” over how much to charge for more than 25 channels and how to package them.

Spectrum customers will be unable to watch Monday Night Football without a deal.
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
US Open Tennis Center - Quarterfinal - Ben Shelton reacts after winning a game against Frances Tiafoe
The blackout also affected the US Open, with ESPN having the right for the tennis tournament.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
In this photo illustration, a blue screen message is displayed with QR code on Spectrum
The channels went dark at the end of August
Getty Images

Rory Christian, the head of the state’s cable regulating Department of Public service, said his office would “work diligently” to make sure proper bill credits are being provided.

“Disney and Charter must continue negotiating in good faith to ensure affordability and consumer choice,” the governor said, adding, “I also urge Disney to continue providing its programming under the terms of the prior agreement while negotiations continue.”