Fans at US Open couldn’t watch ESPN on TVs during night session due to Spectrum dispute
Spectrum #Spectrum
Fans at the U.S. Open suddenly can’t watch the U.S. Open.
At least, not the ESPN broadcasts, that is.
In the midst of the Thursday night session, ESPN broadcasts — along with other Disney and ABC stations — went dark across Spectrum.
Because the country’s No. 2 cable TV provider services the Billie Jean King Tennis Center, that means ESPN went out in Arthur Ashe Stadium, the media workroom and all around the grounds.
Spectrum had run spots during ESPN’s coverage before the blackout, prodding customers to call a toll-free number and voice their concerns.
But ESPN went dark at around 8 p.m., in the middle of the third-round match between top-seeded defending champ Carlos Alcaraz and Lloyd Harris, won in straight sets by Alcaraz.
ESPN went dark while fans were watching the Thursday night session at the U.S. Open.Reuters
The screen went black, followed by messages stating the Walt Disney Co. had “removed” its programming after demanding an “excessive” increase. The word excessive was in bold lettering.
College football kicks off this weekend and the NFL next weekend.
It remains to be seen if football will give tennis a helping hand in getting back on the air so New Yorkers can watch their hometown Grand Slam.