<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>
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<center><h4>Our Pick:</h4>
Includes: Premier League, Liga MX, Ligue 1, + 84 Sports Channels</center>
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<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>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>Sling has a new offer that makes its extras and add-ons half of their usual price. Moreover, the total TV deal, which provides access to&nbsp;<em>all </em>the extras offered by Sling, is just $10.50.</p>
<p>Everything from the sports and comedy packages to lifestyle and Hollywood add-ons are half-off. This deal only lasts a month. Plus, it only applies to new users. However, if there was ever a time to <a href="https:\/\/servedby.flashtalking.com/click/8/189107;6690625;50126;211;0/?gdpr=$%7BGDPR%7D&amp;gdpr_consent=$%7BGDPR_CONSENT_78%7D&amp;us_privacy=$%7BUS_PRIVACY%7D&amp;url=https:\/\/www.sling.com/programming/sports/soccer?DS=1&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_source=worldsoccertalk&amp;utm_campaign=db&amp;utm_content=edit-promo">switch to Sling Blue</a>, Orange or a combination of the two, now is the time.</p>
<p>Finally, the base Sling plans are also half off the first month. For reference, <a href="https:\/\/servedby.flashtalking.com/click/8/189107;6690625;50126;211;0/?gdpr=$%7BGDPR%7D&amp;gdpr_consent=$%7BGDPR_CONSENT_78%7D&amp;us_privacy=$%7BUS_PRIVACY%7D&amp;url=https:\/\/www.sling.com/programming/sports/soccer?DS=1&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_source=worldsoccertalk&amp;utm_campaign=db&amp;utm_content=edit-promo">Sling Blue</a> and <a href="https:\/\/servedby.flashtalking.com/click/8/189107;6690625;50126;211;0/?gdpr=$%7BGDPR%7D&amp;gdpr_consent=$%7BGDPR_CONSENT_78%7D&amp;us_privacy=$%7BUS_PRIVACY%7D&amp;url=https:\/\/www.sling.com/programming/sports/soccer?DS=1&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_source=worldsoccertalk&amp;utm_campaign=db&amp;utm_content=edit-promo">Sling Orange</a> are usually $35 per month. Yet, new subscribers can pay half that, $17.50, for their first month. Same applies to the Sling Orange &amp; Blue rate. Traditionally, that is $50 per month. But, again, this will be $25 for new subscribers. In both instances, the price will rise back up to its normal cost after the first month of subscription expires.</p>
<p>The thing to truly keep an eye on in this Sling TV announcement are that extras are half the price.</p>
<p>Sling prides itself on letting the consumer pick the channels they want via packages and extras they offer. Instead of paying just shy $70 per month with fuboTV or YouTube TV, Sling can charge less, but there is less content. Of course, this is no issue if the user only watches select channels. Therefore, Sling providing half the price on extras can go a long way, especially if you are a cord-cutter looking to see what Sling can offer.</p>
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<td width="30%"><a href="https:\/\/servedby.flashtalking.com/click/8/189107;6690625;50126;211;0/?gdpr=$%7BGDPR%7D&amp;gdpr_consent=$%7BGDPR_CONSENT_78%7D&amp;us_privacy=$%7BUS_PRIVACY%7D&amp;url=https:\/\/www.sling.com/programming/sports/soccer?DS=1&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_source=worldsoccertalk&amp;utm_campaign=db&amp;utm_content=edit-promo" target="blank" rel="noopener"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div></a></td>
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<h4>Watch Sling for 50% off</h4>
<p>Includes: Sports, entertainment, news and more</p></td>
<td><a class="button" href="https:\/\/servedby.flashtalking.com/click/8/189107;6690625;50126;211;0/?gdpr=$%7BGDPR%7D&amp;gdpr_consent=$%7BGDPR_CONSENT_78%7D&amp;us_privacy=$%7BUS_PRIVACY%7D&amp;url=https:\/\/www.sling.com/programming/sports/soccer?DS=1&amp;utm_medium=display&amp;utm_source=worldsoccertalk&amp;utm_campaign=db&amp;utm_content=edit-promo" target="blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: white;"><strong>Sign Up</strong></span></a></td>
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<h3></h3>
<h3>Sling going half the price this month</h3>
<p>There are no changes in the content that Sling puts on offer for subscribers. Instead, this is a way for people to get a glimpse into what Sling provides. To be fair, not all of these additions fit everyone’s interests of what they watch.</p>
<p>Some people only watch sports. Furthermore, many soccer fans immerse themselves with the game enough that it is virtually all they watch on TV. That being said, many of the packages, including the total TV deal, fit the entire family. Whether that be entertainment, news, other sports or any genre in between, Sling has an option available for subscribers.</p>
<h5>Sports Extra</h5>
<p>The sports channels offered in Sling’s add on depend on whether or not Sling Orange or Blue is your base plan. The channels include networks specific to certain professional leagues in the United States, as well as college sports conferences.</p>
<p>However, for the soccer fan, the big inclusion in both is <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/channels/bein-sports">beIN SPORTS</a>. beIN has exclusive coverage in the United States for the French Ligue Un, CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores and various African club competitions. It is a great asset to have to watch some of the most competitive competitions.</p>
<p>This add-on is $11 extra per month. Now, it is $5.50 for the first month.</p>
<h5>Other extras</h5>
<p>The other six extras all have the same price: $6. However, with Sling going half the price for the first month, each of the add-ons is just $3 for new subscribers.</p>
<p>You can save even more than that in the first month. As stated previously, the ‘Total TV Deal’ includes all the extras. It’s usual cost is $21 per month. However, in this first-month deal, that price is just $10.50. Sling puts that valuation at $45, so it is less than a quarter of what it is ‘worth.’ Albeit, it is just half the price.</p>


This month, Sling has a promotion that makes it half the price. This includes everything from the base price to all the extras offered.

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Best ways to watch ESPN during DirecTV blackout

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Sling offering a month-long promotion for half the price