Contract dispute causes Disney Network blackout on Dish, Sling TV

(LEX 18)  — Nearly two dozen television channels under the Disney umbrella are no longer available through Dish Network or Sling TV services.

Variety published an article Saturday morning that stated that 20 channels owned by Disney were removed from Dish after they failed to renew their carriage agreements.

The complete list of Disney-owned networks that are affected by the blackout is: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU. ESPN Deportes. Disney Channel, Disney Jr. FX, FXXX, FXM. National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild. Nat Geo Mundo. ACC Network, SEC Network. Longhorn Network. Baby TV.

Information regarding the renewal dispute is available on the MyDish website.

MyDish links confirm that Dish could not reach a mutual renewal agreement. It is legally required to take down several channels.

According to Dish's MyDish post, Dish criticizes Disney's actions to "knowingly use contract renewal time to increase the amount cable and satellite TV companies pay to their programming."

Disney stated that the Variety article reflects the market and was the basis for many successful deals with pay TV providers across the country.

"We’re committed to reaching a fair resolution, and we urge Dish to work with us in order to minimize the disruption to their customers.”

This blackout applies to eight local market channels, including Chicago (WLS), Fresno (KFSN), Houston, (KTRK), Los Angeles, Los Angeles (KABC), New York, WABC, Philadelphia (WABC), Raleigh, N.C., WTVD, and San Francisco (KGO).