Don't worry, Spectrum customers, you can still watch Aaron Rodgers on 'Monday Night Football'
Update: The Spectrum/Charter dispute reportedly reached its end Monday and ESPN returned to Spectrum at 10:50 a.m. Monday.
The complicated dispute between Charter Communications and Disney lasted more than a week, leaving ESPN and other Disney networks blacked out for Spectrum — which is essentially the trade name for Charter — cable customers in the area.
But for those who want to watch Aaron Rodgers on "Monday Night Football" in his debut with the New York Jets, there remained an alternative: The season opener between the Jets and Buffalo Bills happens to also be carried on ABC. The game begins at 7:15 p.m. Central.
In Milwaukee, the ABC affiliate, WISN-TV (Channel 12), is owned by Hearst Communications; Channel 12 is not subject to the same blackouts.
Packers fans can watch with ease, knowing that Jordan Love passed his first test as full-time Packers starter with flying colors. Love essentially served as Rodgers' understudy and replacement-in-waiting the last three years. Though that situation generated some acrimony between Rodgers and the organization, future Hall of Famer Rodgers has been complimentary of Love.
Rodgers, of course, is the story of the NFL offseason, and New York Jets fans are eager to see the debut of their new quarterback. Among those watching with great interest in Milwaukee will be those looking for free drinks.
The carriage dispute between Disney and Charter was complicated, with the latter publicly wavering on whether it even wanted to stay in the video business at all under the current model. But an agreement first reported by the Wall Street Journal surfaced Monday morning.
Each of the next two weeks of "Monday Night Football" feature two games, with one game available on ABC and one on ESPN only.
The Week 5 game between Green Bay and the Las Vegas Raiders will air nationally only on ESPN, but Packers games on "Monday Night Football" are typically carried by a local network; in Milwaukee, ABC affiliate Channel 12 will carry that game. The Week 14 game Dec. 11 against the New York Giants is already scheduled to air on ABC.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Spectrum users can still see Aaron Rodgers on 'Monday Night Football'
