Automatically determining restored availability of multi-channel media distributors for authentication or authorization

Methods and systems are provided for automatically identifying restored availability of multi-channel media distributors for authentication or authorization. For example, during a period of reduced availability for a multi-channel media distributor, the entitlement service diverts some or all requests from reaching the multi-channel media distributor. These requests are for programmers associated with the multi-channel media distributor to provide media content to user devices. The entitlement service subsequently transmits test requests to the multi-channel media distributor. The entitlement service determines that the multi-channel media distributor has authenticated user credentials included in the test requests or has authorized content access based on the test requests. Based on this determination, which indicates that the availability of the multi-channel media distributor has been restored, the entitlement service transmits subsequent authentication or authorizations requests to the multi-channel media distributor.