JotBlog

Fans at the U.S. Open suddenly can’t watch the U.S. Open.

At least, not the ESPN broadcasts, that is.

In the midst of the Thursday night session, ESPN broadcasts — along with other Disney and ABC stations — went dark across Spectrum.

Because the country’s No. 2 cable TV provider services the Billie Jean King Tennis Center, that means ESPN went out in Arthur Ashe Stadium, the media workroom and all around the grounds.

Spectrum had run spots during ESPN’s coverage before the blackout, prodding customers to call a toll-free number and voice their concerns.

But ESPN went dark at around 8 p.m., in the middle of the third-round match between top-seeded defending champ Carlos Alcaraz and Lloyd Harris, won in straight sets by Alcaraz.

The screen went black, followed by messages stating the Walt Disney Co. had “removed” its programming after demanding an “excessive” increase. The word excessive was in bold lettering.

The U.S. Tennis Association wasn’t pleased with the timing.

“We’re very disappointed for our fans and viewers around the country that Spectrum and Charter could not resolve their dispute with Disney, resulting in a loss of ESPN coverage of Thursday night’s matches. We’re very hopeful that this dispute can be resolved as quickly as possible,” USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier said in a statement.

Both Charter Spectrum and the Walt Disney Co. said in statements that negotiations have been going on for a while.

College football kicks off this weekend and the NFL next weekend.

It remains to be seen if football will give tennis a helping hand in getting back on the air so New Yorkers can watch their hometown Grand Slam.

— with AP

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