Disney–Charter Communications dispute

A carriage dispute took place between The Walt Disney Company and Charter Communications, the second-largest cable television provider in the United States, from August 31 to September 11, 2023. The Walt Disney Company removed its programming from Spectrum, Charter Communications's cable television label, during the duration of the dispute; select Disney programming remained unavailable after the companies reached an agreement.

The Walt Disney Company's leverage against distributors through the popularity of ESPN has allowed the company to raise its fees, resulting in higher prices for subscribers. Disney's fee increases have been the subject of carriage disputes, including a prior dispute between Disney and Charter Communications in July 2019. YouTube TV and Dish Network previously temporarily removed access to Disney channels on their services. Charter Communications was expected to pay Disney US$2.2 billion in 2023 despite cordcutting and intentions by The Walt Disney Company chief executive Bob Iger to create a direct-to-consumer service for ESPN. On August 31, during a US Open match, Disney channels and select ABC stations became unavailable for Spectrum subscribers. A majority of channels were restored after a resolution was reached on September 11, but eight Disney channels, including FXX, Freeform, Disney Junior, and Disney XD were not restored.

Several media organizations and investors expressed concerns over the vitality of cable television as a result of the blackout. A Bloomberg estimate valuated the dispute at a loss of US$4 billion for The Walt Disney Company, while Paramount Global chief executive Bob Bakish estimated the dispute cost programmers and operators US$15 billion in market value. Airings of The View and episodes of the final season of Archer that had not aired prior to the dispute were unavailable. Disney and Charter Communications garnered criticism for their response to the dispute, including Disney's promotion of Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ to Spectrum customers and Charter Communication's refusal to offer rebates; in response to Charter, Federal Communications Commission chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel proposed requiring cable companies to provide rebates for blackouts.