on ESPN’s statement on Sunday aimed at improving its corporate parent’s position in the suddenly infamous Spectrum carriage fight, Disney has expressed interest in eventually making a deal with Charter Communications. While Charter may feel the same way now, a divorce seems imminent.
As John Ourand explains in Sports Business JournalCharter plans to exit the video business in the coming years.
Ourand reported that Charter considered doing that four years ago, when negotiations with Disney over continued customer access to channels like ESPN turned out to be more contentious than expected.
If/when it leaves the video business, Charter will focus on wireless and broadband services, which apparently have much higher margins.
Currently, Charter refers dissatisfied Spectrum customers to FuboTV, allowing Charter to keep their broadband and wireless accounts.
With one week to go until the Bills and Jets kick off Monday Night Football slate on ESPN (with some games on ABC), Ourand also reported that the two sides “are no closer to an agreement than last week.”
As Ourand explained, Disney wanted to see how long it would take for Charter to deal with customers canceling video services. With Charter happily referring them to services like FuboTV, Charter doesn’t seem nervous.
And the consumer continues to be stuck in the middle. Both sides act like they care, but they don’t. As Kramer once said, all they care about is the big mamoo.