ALBANY, N.Y. (WHCU) – Governor Hochul is hoping to secure refunds for New Yorkers affected by a corporate dispute.

More than 1.5 million people in the state lost access to ESPN and other Disney-owned channels on August 31 when Disney and Charter-Spectrum were unable to renew a distribution deal.

“It’s simple, if you pay your cable bill, you deserve to get the services you pay for,” said Hochul. “An ongoing corporate dispute is forcing customers to miss some of the highest profile televised events of the year – the least these companies can do is provide a refund. Disney and Charter must continue negotiating in good faith to ensure affordability and consumer choice. I also urge Disney to continue providing its programming under the terms of the prior agreement while negotiations continue. My administration is committed to consumer protections for all New Yorkers.”

Today, Hochul has directed the Department of Public Services (DPS) to secure refunds from Charter. Service interruptions are preventing customers from seeing major events like the US Open, and the Bills and Jets on Monday Night Football.

“Governor Hochul is giving voice to millions of New Yorkers who are frustrated they cannot view all of their cable channels, and who have a right to be refunded for services that they are unable to access,” said DPS CEO and Public Service Commission Chair Rory Christian. The Department of Public Service will work diligently to ensure Charter provides customers appropriate bill credits in a timely manner.”

You can listen to the Bills and Jets Monday Night Football game on Cayuga Radio Group’s iconic rock station I100.