Caught in the DIRECTV-Disney Dispute? Get ESPN, ABC for 50% Off on Sling

By Angela Tricarico
Published Sep. 4, 2024, 2:40 p.m. ET
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DIRECTV customers were in for quite the shock when the service blacked out all of the Disney-owned networks including ABC and ESPN just minutes before kickoff of the LSU vs. USC game on Sunday evening.

The blackout comes during a crucial time of the year for sports fans: the US Open is reaching the semifinals on both ESPN and ABC, F1 racing returned from its summer break for the final 10 races of the 2024 season, and maybe most importantly, NFL kickoff is tomorrow and ABC is the home for Monday Night Football. ESPN is still carrying MLB Sunday Night Baseball as well — and if this dispute rolls on, it may cut into the beginning of the NBA and NHL seasons.

This isn’t the first time Disney has pulled their channels from service, and not even the first time it’s happened in early September; last year, a similar dispute between Charter Communications (Spectrum) and Disney lasted 12 days before ending on September 11, 2023.

Even the USTA, who puts on the US Open every year, has issued a statement about their frustration over the dispute.

“It is disappointing that fans and viewers around the country will not have the opportunity to watch the greatest athletes in our sport take part in the 2024 US Open due to an unresolved negotiation between DIRECTV and Disney, resulting in the loss of access to ESPN,” the statement read. “We are hopeful that this dispute can be resolved as quickly as possible.”

So, if you’re a DIRECTV subscriber wondering how to tune into sports, TV faves like The View, and more, keep reading for a few live TV alternatives, including Sling TV, and some sweet discounts on them.

How to Get Sling for 50% Off:

Sling TV is currently offering all new customers 50% off your first month, no matter what plan you choose.

Sling’s Orange plan, which is $20 with a 50% discount ($40/month going forward), includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPN4K, Disney Channel, and Freeform.

Of the lost channels, Sling’s Blue plan ($45/month, $22.50 first month) only has ABC.

If you want all of the Disney networks, Sling’s Orange + Blue combo ($60/month, $30 first month) comes with every channel Sling TV has to offer.

SLING TV

Even after the 50% discount, Sling TV is one of the most affordable live TV streaming services.

What is the DIRECTV-Disney Dispute?

On September 1, DIRECTV’s contract with Disney, which allowed the service to carry all of Disney’s channels (including ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Disney Channel, and Freeform), expired.

In the lead-up to the expiration date, both sides had been negotiating a new contract, but the deal fell apart before it could be agreed upon by both sides.

“DirecTV chose to deny millions of subscribers access to our content just as we head into the final week of the US Open and gear up for college football and the opening of the NFL season,” ESPN said in a statement. “While we’re open to offering DIRECTV flexibility and terms which we’ve extended to other distributors, we will not enter into an agreement that undervalues our portfolio of television channels and programs.”

DIRECTV responded with its own statement to the Los Angeles Times: “The Walt Disney Co. is once again refusing any accountability to consumers, distribution partners, and now the American judicial system. 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.”

Other Ways to Watch ESPN and ABC Without Cable:

If you’re most concerned with the loss of ESPN, perhaps the easiest and most affordable way to regain access to those live sporting events is with an ESPN+ subscription. ESPN+ carries the US Open, Monday Night Football, a handful of MLB games every week, and more — all for $10.99/month.

Hulu + Live TV is a live TV alternative that comes with all of the Disney-owned networks and added access to ESPN+ for $76.99/month.

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This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Writer/Reporter for Decider. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, how to watch your favorite sports teams and movies on each streaming service and the very best in tech, like soundbars, to enhance your viewing experience. Not only does Angela test and compare the services, devices and merch she writes about, but she’s also a superfan specializing 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 at Insider Reviews. 

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