Louisiana DirecTV Customers Can Get a $20 Credit After Disney Dispute, Here’s How to Claim Yours

On Sunday, right before the big LSU-USC football game, many Louisiana DirecTV customers were quite upset that they lost the ABC channel in which the game was broadcast. As a result, you may be entitled to compensation.

All total, more than 11 million DirecTV subscribers across the country suddenly lost access to Disney Entertainment channels, disrupting their viewing of major sporting events on ESPN and the U.S. Open tennis tournament.

What's the reason for the dispute between DirecTV and Disney?

The reason for the sudden outage is an ongoing dispute between DirecTV and Disney over a new carriage agreement. After failing to reach an agreement, Disney-run channels went dark on DirecTV on Sunday night.

DirecTV offering customers a $20 bill credit

Right now, it's still unclear when the dispute will be resolved. In the meantime, DirecTV is offering customers $20 in bill credits.

But, of course, there's a catch. You'll have to do a little work to get the credit.

How do you apply for the $20 bill credit from DirecTV?

If you have DirecTV, DirecTV Stream or U-Verse services, you will need to apply for a bill credit online.

First, you will need to enter the service you use as well as your zip code. You'll then go under the "explore bill credits" section and select how you receive your service.

You'll need to enter the email address connected to your account if you use a satellite to get DirecTV or log in if you access the provider online.

DirecTV says that your account must remain active until the credit has been applied. It won't be applied immediately to your account and could take up to two billing cycles for it to be applied.

When will the Disney-DirecTV dispute be resolved?

It is still unclear as to when the two sides will reach an agreement. DirecTV said that Disney offered an extension to keep the channels on the air in exchange for DirecTV waiving all future legal claims that its behavior is anti-competitive.

This didn't fly with DirecTV.

“The Walt Disney Co. is once again refusing any accountability to consumers, distribution partners, and now the American judicial system,” said Rob Thun, DirecTV’s chief content officer, in a statement. “Disney is in the business of creating alternate realities, but this is the real world where we believe you earn your way and must answer for your own actions. They want to continue to chase maximum profits and dominant control at the expense of consumers — making it harder for them to select the shows and sports they want at a reasonable price.”

Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, co-chairmen of Disney Entertainment, and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro issued a joining statement encouraging DirecTV to finalize a deal.

Their joint statement read in part that “while we’re open to offering DirecTV flexibility and terms which we’ve extended to other distributors, we will not enter into an agreement that undervalues our portfolio of television channels and programs. We invest significantly to deliver the No. 1 brands in entertainment, news and sports because that’s what our viewers expect and deserve.

Stay tuned as this may take a while to resolve.