Disney+ faced backlash from fans after an unexpected advertisement break disrupted the live coverage of Arsenal’s Women’s Champions League match on Tuesday. The interruption occurred during the second half of the game, which Arsenal won 1-0 against Danish side HB Køge. Viewers were left without access to the action for about three minutes, with around 15 minutes remaining in the match. Some saw standard commercial content, while others saw the message “commercial break in progress” displayed on an orange screen. When the match resumed, the commentators continued as if the break had not occurred. The winning goal was scored by Mariona Caldentey in the 93rd minute, and no goals were missed due to the interruption. Disney+ has not yet issued a formal statement on the incident, but it is understood that the break was unintentional and caused by a technical error.
The incident sparked frustration among fans, with many expressing their discontent on social media. Some received responses from the Disney+ Help account on X, which explained that standard and premium Disney+ plans are ad-free but may include limited promotional content. The company also noted that live events might still contain advertisements. However, it is believed that the break was an error, and Disney+ is working to address the issue. In 2025, Disney+ will take over exclusive broadcasting rights for the Women’s Champions League in Europe, replacing the previous rights holder, Dazn.
In addition to the ad break, some fans criticized the style of Disney+'s coverage. The analysis show, called The Hangout, featured a dog in the studio and included a quirky quiz about Italy, including a question about pasta. The show aired live from 5pm to 10:30pm BST, covering the 5:45pm and 8pm kick-offs. Guests on the show were seen enjoying a vegetable platter while discussing the games. The broadcaster Flo Lloyd-Hughes described the coverage as “the closest we've seen to CBBC football (derogatory),” and joked about potential absurd elements, such as a character being "gunged" for incorrect predictions. While Disney+ has not officially responded to the criticism, it is understood that the company is considering fan feedback as the season continues.
Disney+ Faces Criticism Over Advertising Interruption During Women's Champions League Match
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