Disney+ interruption cuts into Arsenal Women’s Champions League coverage

Disney+ faced complaints from viewers after an advertising interruption took live coverage away from Arsenal’s opening Women’s Champions League match on Tuesday. According to The Guardian, the disruption lasted about three minutes during the second half of Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Danish opponents HB Køge, leaving fans unable to follow that portion of the match.

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The interruption occurred with roughly 15 minutes of the game remaining. Some viewers were shown advertisements, while others saw an orange screen carrying a message that a commercial break was in progress. When the broadcast returned to the football, the commentators did not address the gap in coverage and appeared unaware that viewers had experienced a disruption.

No goal was scored during the interruption. Arsenal’s winner came later, when Mariona Caldentey converted a penalty in the 93rd minute. The decisive moment was therefore outside the period viewers missed, although complaints about the loss of live pictures continued on social media both during the break and after it had ended.

The Guardian reported that the interruption was understood to have been accidental and caused by a technical issue, with Disney+ understood to be taking steps to address it. The newspaper had approached the platform for comment. Its account did not present that explanation as a formal public statement from Disney+, whose coverage of the competition is produced by ESPN.

The Disney+ Help account on X responded to some frustrated fans by explaining its advertising arrangements. In one reply cited by The Guardian, the account said Standard and Premium subscriptions could still carry promotional material or sponsor messaging, and that advertisements could appear during live and special events.

Disney+ obtained exclusive European broadcasting rights to the competition in a five-year agreement in 2025, including coverage for audiences in the United Kingdom. It succeeded DAZN as the rights holder. The interruption came as the platform was also drawing audience feedback over the presentation of its football programming.

A new studio programme, The Hangout, ran from 5pm to 10.30pm BST around the evening’s two kick-off slots. Its format included a dog in the studio and an Italy-themed quiz. The Guardian reported that Disney was understood to intend to consider audience feedback on the programme as the season continued.