DirecTV subscribers are being affected by a blackout on Disney-owned channels, including ABC. This is preventing soap fans from being able to tune into General Hospital. When will the popular soap opera return? Here’s what you need to know.

DirecTV & Disney At Odds Over Contract Renewal

On Sunday, DirecTV subscribers were thrown for a loop when several channels were blocked from being viewed. Disney Entertainment and DirecTV were not able to come to an agreement regarding the renewal of the contract between the two companies.

Many popular channels have been blacked out as a result, including ESPN, ABC, FX, and Disney. It has impacted 11 million customers.

Rob Thun, the chief content officer at DirecTV, addressed the issue in a statement. He said, “The Walt Disney Co. is once again refusing any accountability to consumers, distribution partners, and now the American judicial system. 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.” He went on to accuse Disney of putting profits ahead of consumers.

For its part, Disney has pointed the finger back at DirecTV, accusing the service provider of denying its customers quality content. The entertainment company also pointed out that DirecTV yanked ESPN before a fairly big week in sports. Finals for the U.S. Open are this week and football season is kicking off. All in all, Disney says they don’t want to undervalue what they provide to viewers.

Disney concluded its statement saying, “We urge DirecTV to do what’s in the best interest of their customers and finalize a deal that would immediately restore our programming.”

General Hospital Blacked Out For DirecTV Customers

Unfortunately for General Hospital fans, this has impacted the daily broadcast of the soap opera. Because ABC is a Disney-owned channel, it has been blacked out on DirecTV.

As General Hospital viewers know, this is an awful time to miss the soap. Last Friday, a new twist was introduced. Sonny Corinthos (played by Maurice Benard) shot John “Jagger” Cates (Adam Harrington), leaving fans with a cliffhanger.

On top of that, fans were finally getting to see the return of Lucky Spencer (Jonathan Jackson), Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst), and Holly Sutton (Emma Samms). Viewers will also potentially miss the storyline revolving around Sam McCall’s (Kelly Monaco) exit from the soap.

This isn’t the first time Disney has found itself at odds with a TV service provider. Last year, the entertainment company had a dispute with Charter Spectrum. The blackout on Spectrum lasted for about two weeks. So, viewers can expect the channels to remain blocked on DirecTV for at least that long this time around.

If you’re impacted by the Disney blackout on DirecTV, you can stream General Hospital on Hulu for the time being.