Several college football fans encountered a nightmare scenario on Thursday night.
Just before the Florida vs. Utah game was set to begin on ESPN, Spectrum customers ran into a blackout message. Spectrum has not been able to resolve a dispute with Disney, which owns ESPN, resulting in a significant loss of channels for those using Spectrum as a cable provider.
What is the status of the relationship between Disney and Spectrum? And how can Spectrum customers watch ESPN games this weekend?
MORE: Watch college football games live with Fubo (free trial)
How to watch ESPN without cable
- Live stream: ESPN+ | Fubo
Spectrum customers can stream ESPN games via ESPN+ or Fubo, which offers a free trial and carries ESPN’s family of networks.
Week 1 games will be featured on these Disney-owned channels:
- ABC
- ACC Network
- ESPN
- ESPNU
- SEC Network
Full list of Week 1 college football games on ESPN channels
Friday, Sept. 1
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Miami (Ohio) vs. Miami (Fla.) | 7 p.m. | ACC Network |
| Louisville vs. Georgia Tech | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Saturday, Sept. 2
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Virginia vs. Tennessee | Noon | ABC |
| Arkansas State vs. Oklahoma | Noon | ESPN |
| Ball State vs. Kentucky | Noon | SEC Network |
| Louisiana Tech vs. SMU | Noon | ESPNU |
| Northern Illinois vs. Boston College | Noon | ACC Network |
| Boise State vs. Washington | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Massachusetts vs. Auburn | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Wofford vs. Pittsburgh | 3:30 p.m. | ACC Network |
| Southeastern Louisiana vs. Mississippi State | 4 p.m. | SEC Network |
| California vs. North Texas | 4 p.m. | ESPNU |
| New Mexico vs. Texas A&M | 7 p.m. | ESPN |
| Middle Tennessee State vs. Alabama | 7:30 p.m. | SEC Network |
| North Carolina vs. South Carolina | 7:30 p.m. | ABC |
| South Alabama vs. Tulane | 8 p.m. | ESPNU |
| Old Dominion vs. Virginia Tech | 8 p.m. | ACC Network |
| Coastal Carolina vs. UCLA | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN |
Sunday, Sept. 3
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| LSU vs. Florida State | 7:30 p.m. | ABC |
Monday, Sept. 4
| Game | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Clemson vs. Duke | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
MORE: How every FBS conference will look in 2024 after realignment
Why is ESPN not working on Spectrum?
Disney and Spectrum are in the midst of a dispute over carriage fees. Blackouts occurred on Thursday night ahead of the start of the Florida vs. Utah game at 8 p.m. ET, and it’s unclear how long the battle between Disney and Spectrum will last.
Both companies released statements addressing the situation (via The Associated Press):
Disney statement
“Disney Entertainment has successful deals in place with pay TV providers of all types and sizes across the country, and the rates and terms we are seeking in this renewal are driven by the marketplace.
“We’re committed to reaching a mutually agreed upon resolution with Charter and we urge them to work with us to minimize the disruption to their customers.”
Spectrum statement
“We offered Disney a fair deal, yet they are demanding an excessive increase. They also want to limit our ability to provide greater customer choice in programming packages forcing you to take and pay for channels you may not want.
“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.”