<p>DirecTV subscribers are suffering from a blackout of ESPN channels and ABC due to a carriage dispute between both parties.</p>



<p>As a result, a handful of channels are temporarily unavailable to those who watch TV via DirecTV. That includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, the ACC Network and the SEC Network. Crucially, this also includes ABC.</p>



<p>The blackout happened on the evening of Sunday, Sep. 1. Millions of Americans who subscribe to DirecTV, <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-5531305-15177288" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">DirecTV Stream</a> and U-Verse services are still without access to these ESPN channels and ABC. However, this provides a strong opportunity for fans to seek out TV providers with access to these channels. </p>



<h2>Alternate ways to watch ESPN during DirecTV blackout</h2>



<p>Even if you subscribe to <a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/mWebq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">ESPN+</a>, not all sporting events are available on the streaming service. Games in different sports, including college and professional football, require a TV subscription. Due to the feud between DirecTV and ESPN, those who use DirecTV can still not watch on the ESPN app.</p>



<p>However, other providers, namely <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Fubo</a> and <a href="https://sling-tv.pxf.io/c/330866/1132376/14334?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sling.com%2Fprogramming%2Fsports%2Fsoccer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Sling Orange</a>, still carry ESPN, ABC and other channels. The blackout is <em>only</em> for DirecTV subscribers, not Fubo and Sling Orange. </p>



<p>Canceling a subscription to DirecTV and switching to either Fubo or Sling Orange serves benefits. On the one hand, Sling Orange and Fubo are cheaper than ESPN. DirecTV costs over $125 per month when incorporating regional sports networks. By comparison, the base fee for Fubo is $80 per month. Sling Orange is $40 per month, but it has fewer channels than both Fubo and DirecTV. </p>



<p>
</p><table class="table5" style="border: 5px solid red;">
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<center><h4>Our Pick:</h4>
Includes: Premier League, Liga MX, Ligue 1, + 84 Sports Channels</center>
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<td rowspan="2" style="background-color:#ef4923; vertical-align: middle;">
<center><a href="https://www.fubo.tv/stream/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866" target="blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow"><figure class="image"><img src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240903_WST_526439_FRVO-1_0d0edcf0.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=100" alt="Fubo" width="200" height="100"></figure></a></center></td>
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<tr><td><center><a class="button" style="background-color:red" href="https://www.fubo.tv/stream/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866" target="blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow"><span style="color: white;"><strong>7-Day Free Trial</strong></span></a></center></td></tr>
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<p></p>
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<p>Yet, if ESPN and its affiliated channels are what you are looking for, Sling and Fubo solve the blackout dispute with DirecTV.</p>



<h2>Future relationship between ESPN and DirecTV</h2>



<p>Both sides are pointing the blame at the other. For example, Disney said it pulled channels off the DirecTV list because it wants fair valuation for what it offers. </p>



<p>“While we’re open to offering DirecTV flexibility and terms which we’ve&nbsp;extended to other distributors, we will not enter into an agreement that undervalues our portfolio of television channels and programs,” <a href="https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2024/09/statement-from-the-walt-disney-company-and-espn-regarding-directv/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Disney said in a statement</a>. “We urge DirecTV to do what’s in the best interest of their customers and finalize a deal that would immediately&nbsp;restore our programming.”</p>



<p>Likewise, DirecTV expressed its frustration with Disney and the act of pulling channels. DirecTV chief content officer Rob Thun said Disney is asking too much for its channels in any new deal.</p>



<p>“The Walt Disney Co. is once again refusing any accountability to consumers, distribution partners, and now the American judicial system,” <a href="https://www.wral.com/story/directv-is-compensating-customers-affected-by-the-disney-outage-but-they-have-to-take-action-to-get-it/21606080/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thun said</a>. “They want to continue to chase maximum profits and dominant control at the expense of consumers — making it harder for them to select the shows and sports they want at a reasonable price.”</p>



<h2>Sports missing from DirecTV as a result</h2>



<p>The one truth remains that fans are the ones who suffer. The aforementioned methods to watch ESPN during this DirecTV blackout are consistent and dependable. Also, it could show users that there are affordable options out there.</p>



<p>Regardless, the timing is crucial. The National Football League starts this week. <em>Monday Night Football</em> involves a marquee matchup between the New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers. Likewise, the return of college football last weekend is making it a major commodity for American sports fans.</p>



<p>Soccer fans in the United States will not suffer as much. The majority of leagues and competitions are exclusive to streaming. Additionally, the men’s European calendar is on the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/top-10-most-interesting-games-to-watch-in-the-international-break/">first international break</a> of the 2024/25 season. That could give time to DirecTV and ESPN to settle their differences. </p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em>.</p>

Best ways to watch ESPN during DirecTV blackout

DirecTV subscribers are suffering from a blackout of ESPN channels and ABC after a carriage dispute, but luckily there are other options.

<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>
<p>You can watch the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final for free without cable, in a variety of ways as well.</p>
<p>The biggest annual club competition in the world pits <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool</a> and <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a> head to head. These two teams met back in 2018, with Real Madrid winning 3-1. That game was notable for a number of reasons. For one, Loris Karius practically gifted Real Madrid two goals. Also, Gareth Bale scored perhaps one of the best goals in Champions League Final history with his <a href="https:\/\/youtu.be/L9WiOLWZwUo?t=188" rel="noopener" target="_blank">overhead kick</a>. However, Mohamed Salah exited the game early due to a shoulder injury in just the 25th minute. In the end, that game aired on FOX.</p>
<p>Much changed since then, including the fact that FOX is all but out of the club soccer scene. The Champions League coverage in the United States changed hands a number of times. Eventually, it landed in the hands of CBS and its streaming platform Paramount+.</p>
<p>Flash forward four years and a pandemic later, you can watch the rematch in the Champions League Final for free without cable. Streaming now plays a major role in the soccer media scene. With CBS owning the English-language rights to the competition, there are a number of ways to watch the biggest club game of the year.</p>
<h3>Watch the Champions League Final for free without cable</h3>
<p>Here are the different ways to watch the Champions League Final for free without cable:</p>
<ol>
<li>CBS network (over the air, free)</li>
<li>Univision network (over the air, free)</li>
<li>Paramount+ (<a href="https:\/\/paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" rel="noopener" target="_blank">free 7-day trial</a>)</li>
<li>fuboTV (<a href="https:\/\/www.fubo.tv/lp/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866" rel="noopener" target="_blank">free 7-day trial)</a></li>
<li>DirecTV Stream (<a href="https:\/\/www.anrdoezrs.net/click-5531305-15177288" rel="noopener" target="_blank">free 5-day trial</a>)</li>
</ol>
<p>it makes sense to start with the over-the-air channels. In addition to cable, satellite or streaming options, all you need is an antenna to watch the Champions League Final for free in the United States.</p>
<p>The game is on CBS and Univision for Spanish-language coverage. All cable and satellite providers carry these channels. Therefore, if you already have a TV service like that, you have the channel to watch the UEFA Champions League Final.</p>
<p>However, streaming is so common for sports fans nowadays due to the high costs of cable or satellite. Plus, some people want more specialized viewing experiences.</p>
<h5>Free trials on streaming</h5>
<p>There are three different ways you can watch the Champions League Final for free in the United States via streaming.</p>
<p>All of the following options provide free trials lasting around a week.</p>
<p>Let’s start with <a href="https:\/\/paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065">Paramount+</a>. The streaming platform launched by CBS is the home of the Champions League throughout the season. Many major European soccer fans in the U.S. likely already have a subscription to Paramount+.</p>
<p>However, for those trying to get access to just the Champions League trial, the seven-day free trial provides total access to the platform’s content. In total, Paramount+ has more than 2,000 soccer games per year.  In the same manner, that doesn’t include all of the movies, shows and live TV it offers too.</p>
<p>For cord-cutters looking for a wider variety of channels, <a href="https:\/\/www.fubo.tv/lp/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866">fuboTV</a> and <a href="https:\/\/www.anrdoezrs.net/click-5531305-15177288" rel="noopener" target="_blank">DirecTV Stream</a> have channels that include CBS, and thus, the Champions League Final.</p>
<p>fuboTV also has a seven-day free trial, just like Paramount+. After the trial period, fuboTV is much more expensive. However, it does carry over 84 channels, many of which cater to soccer and other sports.</p>
<p>The same applies for <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/providers/directv-stream/">DirecTV STREAM</a>. This is the streaming version of the DirecTV satellite option. It is cheaper and provides ease of access without the need for a satellite dish.</p>
<p>The five-day free trial from DirecTV STREAM provides access to the channel CBS and Univision, which broadcast the Champions League Final.</p>
<p><em>Photo By ANP / Contributor via Getty Images</em></p>


There are plenty of ways to watch the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final for free in the U.S. without cable. Just use one of many free trials.

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Best ways to watch ESPN during DirecTV blackout

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How to watch Champions League Final for free without cable