DIRECTV customers were shocked to find that all of the Disney-owned networks, including ABC and ESPN, were cut off from service. Just minutes before kickoff A look at the LSU vs. USC game on Sunday night.
The hiatus comes at one of the most important times of the year for sports fans: the U.S. Open reaches its semifinals on both ESPN and ABC, Formula One racing returns from its summer hiatus to air the final 10 races of the 2024 season, and, perhaps most importantly, the NFL kicks off. tomorrow ABC broadcasts Monday Night Football. ESPN still broadcasts MLB Sunday Night Baseball. If this controversy continues, it could affect the start of the NBA season. and NHL season.
This is not the first time Disney has suspended service of the channel, and it wasn't the first time it happened in early September: A similar dispute between Charter Communications (Spectrum) and Disney last year lasted 12 days and concluded on September 11, 2023.
Even the USTA, which annually hosts the U.S. Open, released a statement expressing its displeasure with the controversy.
“We are disappointed that pending negotiations between DIRECTV and Disney mean fans and viewers across the country will not be able to watch ESPN and watch some of our sport's greatest athletes compete in the 2024 U.S. Open,” the statement read. “We look forward to this dispute being resolved as soon as possible.”
If you are a DIRECTV subscriber and want to know how to watch sports and TV shows, Viewand other live TV alternatives, including Sling TV, and their great deals, so keep reading.
How to get Sling for 50% off:
Sling TV is currently offering all new customers a 50% discount on their first month, no matter which plan they choose.
Sling orange The plan is 50% off at $20 (now $40 per month) and includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPN4K, Disney Channel, and Freeform.
Of the lost channels, the sling Blue The plan ($45/month, $22.50 first month) includes only ABC.
If you wish all Disney Network Sling Orange + Blue The Combo ($60/month, $30 for the first month) comes with every channel Sling TV offers.
Even after the 50% discount, Sling TV remains one of the most affordable live TV streaming services.
What is the DIRECTV vs Disney dispute?
On September 1, DIRECTV's contract with Disney expired, which allowed it to carry all of Disney's channels (including ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Disney Channel, and Freeform).
As the deadline approached, the two sides were negotiating a new contract, but the deal fell apart before the two sides could come to an agreement.
“With the U.S. Open approaching its final week and preparing for the start of the college football and NFL seasons, DirecTV has chosen to deny millions of subscribers access to our content,” ESPN said in a statement. “We are open to offering DirecTV the flexibility and terms we have offered other distributors, but we will not enter into any agreement that undervalues our portfolio of television channels and programming.”
DIRECTV is unique Statement to the Los Angeles Times“The Walt Disney Company is once again refusing to be accountable to consumers, its distribution partners and now the American justice system. The company continues to pursue maximum profits and control at the expense of consumers, making it harder for them to choose the programming and sports they want at a fair price.”
Other ways to watch ESPN and ABC without cable:
If you're most worried about losing ESPN, perhaps the easiest and most affordable way to regain access to these live sporting events is with an ESPN+ subscription, which offers the U.S. Open, Monday Night Football, weekly MLB games, and more, all for just $10.99 per month.
Hulu + Live TV is a live TV alternative that comes with all of the Disney-owned networks. and It added access to ESPN+ for $76.99 per month.
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This article was written by Angela Tricarico, commerce writer and reporter at Decider. Angela keeps readers up to date on the best deals for cord cutters, how to watch your favorite sports teams and movies on each streaming service, and the best tech like soundbars to enhance your viewing experience. In addition to testing and comparing the services, devices, and goods she writes about, Angela is also an avid fan who specializes in the intersection of shopping, tech, and pop culture. Prior to joining Decider and the New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech for Insider Reviews.
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