Disney-Spectrum Latest: Media Giant Rips Cable Operator’s “Indifference” On Eve Of U.S. Open Finals And NFL Kickoff; Wall Street Firm Predicts ESPN Parent Will Make Concessions

deadline.com:

With its carriage fight with Charter about to enter its second week, Disney issued a statement blasting the Spectrum TV owner’s “indifference” to customers and a Wall Street investment bank predicted a compromise by the ESPN parent. “As the U.S.

Open reaches the men’s and women’s finals, and fans gear up for a weekend of college football and the opening of the NFL season, it’s unfortunate that Charter decided to abandon their consumers by denying them access to our great programming,” Disney said. “While they have stated their ‘indifference’ to the needs of millions of paying customers, we will not lose sight of what is most important – investing in the highest-quality stories, news and sports for our audience.

The question for Charter is clear: Do you care about your subscribers and what they’re telling you they want – or not?” (The word “indifference” appeared in quotes because Charter itself had used it last Friday on an investor call.) While Disney added that it “stands ready to resolve this dispute and do what’s in the best interest of Charter’s customers,” Charter CEO Chris Winfrey indicated little progress has been made in negotiations. “If I had anything material to highlight, I would,” he said of the talks in an appearance today at a Goldman Sachs investor conference. “So that should tell you something.” Disney’s statement went out in the middle of Winfrey’s conference session.

The company has said in recent days that Charter rejected multiple offers to extend talks before the signals went dark for 14.7 million Spectrum customers, as sometimes happens during carriage disputes.