Peyton, Eli Manning Facing Criticism for 'Monday Night Football' Decision
Peyton and Eli Manning's weekly "ManningCast" during Monday Night Football usually doesn't generate much controversy, but this week's episode was an exception.
The Manning brothers always feature multiple guests on their alternate broadcast, and last night hosted Disney CEO Bob Iger during the Philadelphia Eagles' 10-7 win over the Green Bay Packers. Iger's appearance came in the middle of Disney's ongoing dispute with YouTube TV, which has kept channels like ABC and ESPN off the streaming service for the last couple of weeks.
Despite the elephant in the room, the Mannings never once asked Iger about the YouTube TV issue, earning criticism from fans and media members alike for failing to do so.
Mannings, Iger earn blowback for guest spot
While Wall Street Journal media reporter Joe Flint noted that Iger's "ManningCast" guest spot was scheduled well in advance of the Disney/YouTube TV impasse, it didn't stop the Manning brothers and Iger himself from taking heat on social media.
"Disney CEO Bob Iger just appeared on the Manningcast, and Peyton and Eli didn't ask a single question about YouTube TV blacking out ESPN. Not ideal," said media reporter Rob Tornoe of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
"The first topic with Bob Iger during the Peyton and Eli Eagles vs Packers Monday Night Football broadcast should be about the ESPN/YouTube TV deal," one fan lamented. "Love the ManningCast but this is pathetic!"
"Waiting for Peyton and Eli to ask Bob Iger about YouTubeTV," another commenter noted.
"@RobertIger how dare you go on Peyton & Eli tonight touting your Packers fandom when millions of Packer fans with YouTube TV can’t watch the game tonight because of you," a Packers fan wrote.
"Peyton and Eli better ask Iger about YouTubeTV," said Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.
We're going to guess Peyton and Eli were explicitly told not to ask Iger about YouTube TV, or at the very least just didn't want to ruffle any feathers. Ironically, by trying not to do that, they seemingly did.
Disney, YouTube TV stalemate continues
The Disney blackout on YouTube TV began on Oct. 30. In the nearly two weeks since, viewers have missed two Monday Night Football games, plus numerous early-season college basketball, NBA and NHL matchups.
Disney is reportedly losing $30 million weekly because of the carriage dispute, with YouTube TV also feeling the pain financially. Both sides have taken a beating publicly from consumers.
Over the weekend, YouTube TV began offering customers a $20 credit to help mitigate the lack of Disney channels. As of now, there have been no concrete signs of progress between the two sides.