September 3, 2024

Mr. Brad Schneider

US Congressional Representative 

District 10, Illinois

Re: Disney’s Heavy Hand

Dear Representative Schneider:

            It is disturbing and worrisome that the argument between Disney Entertainment Content Group and DirecTV should impact viewers. On Monday morning we were advised by DirecTV that we could not view any TV channel that carried Disney content.  These channels include:

• ABC including ABC News
• ESPN
• FX
• ABC Family, aka Freeform
• National Graphic

There may be others. The DirecTV basic service is now lacking these contents. Chief among these features is ABC News. It is profoundly upsetting that we cannot view the news.

When two corporations are so large that they can arbitrarily withdraw a basic news entitlement, the American public is being abused.  

I urge you to voice our displeasure and serious concerns in the House. I also urge you to push the FCC to do its job: “Providing leadership in strengthening the defense of the nation’s communications infrastructure.” The American population is being held hostage by these giant corporations. It’s indecent, and fundamentally wrong.

Yours truly,

(Signature withheld)

Phil Brown