Why are ABC & ESPN not working on DirecTV? Contract dispute has some LSU & USC, BC & FSU fans scrambling

Kyle Irving

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Why are ABC & ESPN not working on DirecTV? Contract dispute has some LSU & USC, BC & FSU fans scrambling image

College football fans with DirecTV will be disappointed when they settle in on their couch to watch thrilling Week 1 matchups between No. 13 LSU and No. 23 USC on Sunday and BC vs. FSU on Monday.

Because of a contract dispute with Disney's ABC and ESPN, DirecTV users will not be able to tune into the highly anticipated ranked matchups.

Here's why.

LIVE: USC vs. LSU score, updates, highlights

Why are ABC & ESPN not working on DirecTV?

Disney is in a major dispute with satellite television company DirecTV, affecting millions of users who are trying to tune into the LSU vs. USC game on Sunday.

Both Disney and DirecTV have put out official statements on the situation, campaigning for their side of the story.

DirecTV's statement against Disney

"The Walt Disney Co. is once again refusing any accountability to consumers, distribution partners, and now the American judicial system,” DirecTV chief content officer Rob Thun said in a statement.

“Disney is in the business of creating alternate realities, but this is the real world where we believe you earn your way and must answer for your own actions. 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.”

Disney's statement against DirecTV

"DirecTV chose to deny millions of subscribers access to our content just as we head into the final week of the U.S. Open and gear up for college football and the opening of the NFL season," ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro and Disney Entertainment co-chairmen Dana Walden and Alan Bergman 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. We invest significantly to deliver the No. 1 brands in entertainment, news, and sports because that’s what our viewers expect and deserve. We urge DirecTV to do what’s in the best interest of their customers and finalize a deal that would immediately restore our programming.”

More to know about new QBs: LSU's Garrett Nussmeier | USC's Miller Moss

Reactions to DirecTV's ABC & ESPN blackout

How to watch USC vs. LSU

  • Date: Sunday, Sept. 1
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
  • Live stream: ESPN+, Fubo

USC vs. LSU will air on ABC on Sunday night. The network will broadcast the game from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. local time). 

Viewers seeking a streaming option can turn to ESPN+ or Fubo, which offers a free trial to new users.

How to watch Florida State vs. Boston College

Florida State vs. Boston College will air nationally on ESPN, with a broadcast team comprised of BC alum Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Louis Riddick (analyst), and Kris Budden (sideline reporter).

Viewers can also stream the game on Fubo, which offers a free trial. That way, you can try it before you buy it.

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Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.