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How to Watch Disney Channels like ABC and ESPN Without DirecTV
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Starting Saturday night, Disney-owned channels including ABC and ESPN went dark for millions of DirecTV customers. The two media giants were apparently unable to reach a licensing agreement, prompting Disney to pull its channels from DirecTV. The timing of the blackout was especially inconvenient for football fans looking to watch the USC vs. LSU football game on ABC — just an hour after the blackout started — and for tennis fans watching the US Open tournament happening right now.
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At a Glance: How to Watch Disney Channels Without DirecTV
Watch all Disney Channels without DirecTV using Hulu + Live TV, fubo, or Sling
DirecTV customers can qualify for a $20 credit here
get free trial at hulu + Live Tv
However, there are ways to watch Disney channels like ESPN and ABC without DirecTV. Read on for a quick guide on how to livestream ESPN, ABC, and other Disney channels while we wait for Disney and DirecTV to reach an agreement.
How to Watch Disney Channels Without DirecTV
The best way to stream Disney channels without DirecTV is to get a live TV streaming service that carries ESPN, ABC, and other Disney channels. These services don’t have contracts, and some offer free trials, meaning you can easily watch Disney channels without commitment. Here are some of our favorites that carry Disney channels:
Stream Disney Channels on Hulu + Live TV
Since Hulu is owned by Disney, Hulu + Live TV is a great way to watch Disney channels online without DirecTV. The cable streaming service carries ABC and ESPN, and offers complimentary access to ESPN+ for even more sports coverage. Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99 a month after a three-day free trial.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV bundles together Hulu’s on-demand library and over 95 live TV channels, including local channels and almost all popular national channels. Subscriptions also include ESPN+ and Disney+ at no additional cost. Hulu + Live TV costs $76.99 a month after a three-day free trial.
Stream Disney Channels on fubo
fubo also carries Disney channels including ESPN and ABC, making it a great way to watch without DirecTV. Packages start at $79.99 a month, but you get a generous seven-day free trial before you need to start paying. It’s possible that DirecTV and Disney work it out within those seven days, in which case you could cancel fubo and end up paying nothing.
fubo
fubo’s massive streaming plans carry up to 275+ channels, and you can get even more depending on your location. Packages start at $79.99 a month, and you get seven days to try the service for free.
Stream Disney Channels on Sling
A more affordable way to watch Disney channels online is Sling, which carries ABC, ESPN, and other channels in its Orange + Blue package. Sling packages start at $40 a month, and the all-inclusive Orange + Blue package starts at $60 a month. Right now, however, Sling is offering new customers $25 off their first month, bringing the price way down (and that first month should get you through the DirecTV-Disney dispute).
Sling
Sling is one of the most affordable live TV streaming services, with packages starting at $40 a month. You can get up to 46 channels in the Sling Orange + Blue plan, plus more with Sling’s add-ons.
How Long Will the DirecTV-Disney Dispute Last?
There’s no timeline for DirecTV and Disney to reach an agreement. But, as many football fans will remember, a similar issue happened exactly this time last year when Disney couldn’t reach an agreement with Spectrum. That dispute lasted from Aug. 31 to Sept. 11.
According to DirecTV CFO Ray Carpenter, the company will fight Disney “as long as it needs to.” Carpenter said DirecTV is pushing to offer customers more bundle options and more “competitive pricing.”
“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,” said Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, co-chairmen of Disney Entertainment, and Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, in a joint statement.
How to Get DirecTV Credit Amid Dispute
If you’re a DirecTV subscriber affected by the Disney dispute, you likely qualify for a $20 credit. Head to directv.com/tvpromise to see if you qualify, and to receive the credit, if so. According to the website, the $20 credit will be applied in up to two billing cycles.
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