Let’s stop the TV channel blackouts

[Consumer Reports]   Dear Friend, Once again, millions of Americans last week got a blank TV screen when they tuned into college football, the US Open, and even the Bachelorette finale (sigh), thanks to another corporate TV showdown that has left consumers in the dark. DirecTV’s blackout of Disney-owned channels – including ESPN, FX, Disney Jr., and ABC – has left 11 million customers paying for channels that they’re not getting. And while these multi-billion dollar corporations stare each other down to negotiate their paydays, consumers are left holding the bag. Enough is enough! Join us as we demand DirecTV give its customers an automatic refund for the lost channels, and tell the Federal Communications Commission to do more to protect consumers. [Even if you’re not a Direct TV customer, we need your voice to show giant corporations that they can’t treat consumers like this!](  [Sign the Petition »](  Last year, Spectrum cable pulled the plug on Disney channels over Labor Day weekend in a similar dispute over how much to pay for TV content. Then, more than 30,000 consumers like you helped us push Spectrum to offer refunds for the 12-day blackout. And the FCC eventually proposed a rule that would require rebates for TV programming blackouts. But a year later, the entertainment industry and pay TV providers are back to their same tricks. Direct TV, which is owned by AT&T, is offering a $20 bill credit for the blackout, but customers have to proactively apply for it, and the credit appears over the next two billing cycles, not immediately. As for the FCC, it never finalized its rule requiring rebates. We know a lot of you have cut the cord and don’t pay for cable or satellite TV, but it’s important you speak out too, since we have to show giant corporations that consumers won’t be pushed around. [Join us in demanding DirectTV automatically refund money to consumers, and demand the FCC hold these companies accountable.](  [Sign the Petition »](  Thank you for taking action, and please share this with friends and family so they can join you in fighting back against corporate abuse. Angel HanConsumer Reports [Unsubscribe from Consumer Reports action alerts.]( © 2022 Consumer Reports, 101 Truman Avenue, Yonkers, NY, 10703 [Contact Consumer Reports](