Disney/ESPN Channels Discontinued
Disney/ESPN Channels No Longer Available Due to High Costs and Declining Viewership
At Volcano Communications Group, we’re committed to providing high-quality, reliable service at a fair price. That’s why we want to be transparent about a recent change in our channel lineup: Disney-owned channels, including ESPN, will no longer be available through our TV packages as of August 1st.
This decision wasn’t made lightly. We understand that ESPN and other Disney channels have long been part of many households’ viewing habits. However, after careful evaluation, we determined that continuing to carry these channels is no longer in the best interest of the majority of our customers.
Why We Made This Change
The cost to carry Disney-owned channels — which includes ESPN, Freeform, ACC Network, FX, National Geographic, the Disney Channel, and others — has risen dramatically. Disney requires providers like us to pay for all of these channels as a bundle, even though viewership for many of them has significantly declined.
In particular, ESPN channels are among the most expensive for any provider to carry. While it still draws large audiences during major sports events, overall ratings have been dropping, especially as more viewers choose to watch sports highlights online or stream games directly from league apps or digital platforms.
As a community-focused provider, we couldn’t justify passing these high costs on to our customers — especially when many don’t watch these channels at all. Learn more in our article Channel Lineup Update: What’s Changing and Why.
What This Means for You
We know changes to TV lineups can be frustrating, and we’re actively working to expand and strengthen our programming options in ways that reflect what our customers truly value. By removing high-cost, low-viewership channels, we can focus on delivering more flexible, affordable service.
If you’re still interested in Disney content or ESPN programming, those options are available through standalone streaming services like Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, and more — often for much less than what these channels cost when bundled with traditional TV packages.
To help make that transition easy, Volcano customers can explore and sign up for these services through MyBundle — a free tool that helps you find, manage, and customize your streaming subscriptions in one convenient place.
A Future That Reflects Your Needs
The TV landscape is changing rapidly. Viewers are seeking more control, more choice, and better value — and we’re evolving to meet those expectations. By stepping away from unsustainable channel agreements, we’re working to protect our customers from unnecessary price increases and build a better viewing experience for all.
As always, we’re here for you. If you have questions or want help exploring alternative ways to access your favorite content, our local customer service team is ready to assist.
Thank you for your continued trust and support.