Planning to watch ESPN's 'College GameDay' Saturday? Spectrum cable customers may not be able to
With a new Big Ten media rights deal beginning in 2023, Ohio State football will not have any regular-season games on ABC or ESPN this fall.
But for some Buckeye fans hoping to hear what Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard have to say about Ohio State ahead of the season opener vs. Indiana Saturday on ESPN's "College GameDay", a change in plans may be necessary.
Spectrum cable users are being warned that they could lose access to Disney-owned channels such as ESPN and its family of networks, FX and Freeform.
According to Spectrum, the Walt Disney Company threatened to remove programming after demanding an "excessive increase" in a new deal with the cable provider.
"Spectrum is on your side and fighting to keep costs down while protecting and maximizing customer choice," Spectrum's statement reads. "The rising cost of programming is the single greatest factor in higher cable TV prices, and we are fighting hard to hold the line on programming rates imposed on us by companies like Disney.
"We ask for your patience as we continue to work out a deal that is fair for everyone."
Disney released a statement saying it "continuously" works with cable partners to offer their TV lineups.
"Disney Entertainment has a highly successful track record of negotiating with providers of all types and sizes across the country and is committed to reaching fair, market-based rates and terms," Disney's statement reads.
According to reports, Columbus' ABC station, WSYX-TV, is not expected to be affected.
ESPN and its family of networks will air multiple college football games in Week 1, including No. 14 Utah vs. Florida at 8 p.m. Thursday.
ESPN's "College GameDay" will air at 9 a.m. Saturday from Charlotte, North Carolina ahead of No. 20 North Carolina's matchup with South Carolina.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Spectrum customers could lose access to ESPN, other Disney-owned channels
