Hulu + Live TV revealed Friday that it has begun offering new and eligible returning subscribers to its service a discounted rate of $49.99 per month for three months.The news went out today on Disney letterhead; the company owns two-thirds of Hulu and is currently in a major carriage fight with Charter Communications. Disney linear networks, including ESPN and ABC, went dark on Charter’s Spectrum cable systems August 31.It comes as the U.S. Open is set to hold its championship rounds this weekend on ESPN, which with ABC has U.S. rights to show the tennis grand slam set in New York City, a top Spectrum market. According to sources, ESPN granted about 15-20 players, outside press and internal ESPN talent complimentary access to coverage via Hulu + Live while staying in town to keep up with the tournament.Also coming up: the season premiere of Monday Night Football, which features two New York teams, the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills.The new Hulu + Live TV offer expires October 11.Currently, the Hulu + Live TV service is $69.99 per month with ads, and $82.99 per month without. Earlier in August, both tiers were part of an announced Disney streamer-wide price hike that is due to take effect October 12, with the ad plan rising to $76.99 and the no-ad plan to $89.99.Meanwhile, there is no timetable for a resolution between Charter and Disney, which has left nearly 15 million Spectrum TV customers without access to 18 Disney networks as well as eight ABC stations. Last week, Charter CEO Chris Winfrey warned that the company could be willing to pivot away from video permanently if a swift resolution cannot be achieved.
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