Tennis Champion Daniil Medvedev Unable to Watch US Open Matches Due to TV Dispute
New York – Daniil Medvedev, the No. 3-ranked tennis player in the world and winner of the 2021 US Open, is facing an unexpected problem during this year’s tournament. Medvedev revealed at a press conference on Monday that he is unable to watch any of the matches on his TV because of an ongoing dispute between Spectrum and The Walt Disney Company.
Medvedev expressed his frustration, stating, “I cannot watch it on TV anymore. I don’t know if it’s legal or illegal, but I have to find a way because I cannot watch it on TV. I got internet, probably this, how you call it, pirate websites, so I watch tennis there… I have no other choice.” The Russian tennis star has resorted to finding alternative ways to stream the matches online.
An ESPN spokesperson has since announced that they are working on providing Medvedev access to the ESPN+ app, which is currently streaming the US Open matches. However, Medvedev’s situation highlights a larger issue for millions of Spectrum cable subscribers who have lost access to Disney-owned channels like ESPN.
Last week, Disney-owned channels were pulled from 15 million Spectrum cable subscribers during prime time, causing frustration among fans who were unable to watch not only tennis but also college football. Spectrum’s parent company, Charter, claims that Disney “has insisted on a traditional long-term deal with higher rates and limited packaging flexibility,” resulting in the withdrawal of their channels.
Charter argues that Disney’s proposal would significantly increase costs for subscribers, while also forcing them to pay for channels they may not be interested in. This dispute arises at a time when the streaming model is challenging the traditional arrangements between channel owners and cable providers.
Disney has responded, stating that they have successful deals in place with various pay TV providers across the country, and the rates and terms they are seeking in this renewal are driven by the marketplace. They are advocating for a mutually agreed-upon resolution with Charter to minimize disruptions for their customers.
Meanwhile, Disney has launched a marketing campaign encouraging frustrated Spectrum cable subscribers to sign up for their “Hulu + Live TV” bundle, which grants access to Disney’s cable channels and ESPN+. This weekend, in particular, has been challenging for Spectrum subscribers as the US Open continues to captivate tennis fans.
In an ironic turn of events, NY1, a local news channel available on Spectrum, broadcasted its morning show from the US Open on Tuesday. Though the channel’s anchors did not acknowledge the carriage dispute or the fact that Spectrum subscribers cannot watch tennis on their own cable service.
The US Open, held in Queens, New York, will continue until Sunday, with fans hoping for a resolution to the TV dispute, allowing them to enjoy the remaining matches.