ESPN and DirecTV dispute updates: Latest news and other options to watch NFL, college football & more without cable

The busiest time on the sports calendar is quickly approaching, with NFL and college football games about to be fully underway, leaving many fans glued to their televisions to consume all the action. 

For DirecTV customers, an ongoing dispute between the TV provider and ESPN is hindering their experience. 

DirecTV users currently are unable to watch any of the ESPN channels due to an ongoing contract dispute between AT&T, the parent company of DirecTV, and Disney, the parent company of ESPN. 

Here are the latest updates on the ESPN and DirecTV dispute and how to watch ESPN without cable. 

MORE: Watch ESPN live with Fubo (free trial)

ESPN and DirecTV dispute updates

Sunday, Sept 8.

The first NFL Sunday of the 2024 season is here, and all is quiet between ESPN and DirecTV. No agreement is in effect as of 10:45 a.m. ET. Monday Night Football between the New York Jets and the San Francisco Giants looms, and many hope that a decision will come before that game. To try and save face and customers, DirecTV is now offering credit towards FuboTV or Sling so its subscribers have alternative access to ESPN and more. 

With Disney’s channels (including ESPN) still unavailable due to the company’s carriage battle w DirecTV, DirecTV is offering its customers credits towards FuboTV or Sling. pic.twitter.com/N0zaAllXrK

— A.J. Perez (@byajperez) September 6, 2024

DirecTV has now filed a formal complaint with the FCC, per Variety. They are accusing Disney of "negotiating in bad faith." A Disney spokesperson responded, including a line urging DirecTV to come to an agreement by the start of "Monday Night Football" tomorrow. 

Friday, Sept 6. 

Nearly a week after DirecTV customers lost access to ESPN, DirecTV announced it is bumping up the monthly rate for satellite and streaming service customers from $2 a month to $10 a month. 

DirecTV, which isn't carrying ESPN and 17 other networks because of a contract dispute, announced today that it's raising prices $2 to $10 per month for its satellite and streaming service subscribers.

— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) September 6, 2024

Wednesday, Sept. 4

Three days after Disney shut off access to ESPN channels for DirecTV users, Disney released another statement, slamming DirecTV for "misrepresenting facts."

"DirecTV continues to misrepresent the facts around our ongoing negotiations," the statement read. "Our priority is to reach a marketplace deal that serves the needs of DirecTV and their customers while also recognizing the value of our top-quality content and the significant investment required to create and acquire it. We believe there is a path to a fair and flexible agreement that strikes this critical balance and works for all sides, especially the consumer."

A Disney spokesperson also outlined specific rebuttals to the points that DirecTV made against them. They are as follows:

Content Investment and Value of Portfolio

"The value of Disney’s portfolio is indisputable as more than 90% of DirecTV households watched its linear programming every month last year – the highest performing on their platform (according to Nielsen). 

"Disney continues to meaningfully invest in its linear channels and almost all linear content is exclusive to or premieres on Disney’s networks including live sports and events."

Flexible Packaging and Participation in Future DTC Offerings

"As part of the negotiations, Disney has proposed a variety of packages that align to DirecTV’s cited needs, give their customers more choice and control, and provide DirecTV with the ability to participate in future opportunities to distribute Disney’s content. For example:

• Sports centric option featuring the ESPN Networks and ABC
• Entertainment based option featuring the Disney Entertainment networks
• Linear offerings paired with Disney’s direct-to-consumer subscription services"

Fair, Marketplace-based Rates

"Disney is asking for rates that are in line with other distribution providers in the marketplace and that reflect the value of Disney’s content."

Seamless Linear and DTC Experience 

"Disney has provided DirecTV with multiple options to connect their platforms to our direct-to-consumer streaming services."

On the same day, DirecTV executives are calling for help from college football conferences. DirecTV head of state & local affairs Hamlin Wade sent letters to each of the chancellors, presidents, and commissioners of the SEC, ACC, and Big 12. 

"Fan loyalty is at the core of our mission: We want to offer maximum choice and value by empowering fans to choose the content they want at lower price points, not forcing them to accept a bloated bundle of expensive channels they don’t watch," Wade said. "Instead of digging in their heels and demanding the status quo, we need Disney to work with us to create more flexible options that better serve today’s consumer preferences."

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Tuesday, Sept. 3

DirecTV is standing pat during its ongoing dispute with ESPN, according to the company's chief financial officer Ray Carpenter. 

"We’re not playing a short-term game," Carpenter said. "We need something that is going to work for the longterm sustainability of our video customers. The resolve is there."

DirecTV CFO Ray Carpenter says service won't blink before next week's MNF game. "We’re not playing a short-term game. We need something that is going to work for the longterm sustainability of our video customers. The resolve is there"

— Joe Flint (@JBFlint) September 3, 2024

In the meantime, DirecTV is offering customers a $20 credit for their accounts. Subscribers can go to https://www.directv.com/tvpromise/ for the credit. 

"We're pursuing every avenue to get your station back. To thank you for your patience, until the situation is resolved, we're offering you a bill credit," DirecTV said. 

In order for customers to get the credit, they have to enter their TV service and your zip code. Next, the site will prompt you to "Explore Bill Credits." Users will need to click on whether they subscribe via "DirecTV via satellite" or "DirecTV via Internet."

After that, it will direct users to another page where they can enter the email address on file for the account. The $20 credit will be applied in up to two billing cycles. 

Sunday, Sept. 1

On Sunday, Sept. 1, DirecTV customers suddenly were unable to watch any of the programming on any of the ESPN channels, including ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and more. 

Disney executives Dana Walden, Alan Bergman and Jimmy Pitaro released a joint statement on the matter that the company and DirecTV were unable to agree to a new contract that would have prohibited the channels from going dark. 

"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," the statement read. "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."

DirecTV chief content officer Rob Thun responded to Disney's claim by stating that the company demanded that DirecTV waive all future legal claims that its behavior is anti-competitive. 

"The Walt Disney Co. is once again refusing any accountability to consumers, distribution partners, and now the American judicial system," Thun said. "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."

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How to watch ESPN without DirecTV

While ESPN and DirecTV continue their standoff, there are other ways for DirecTV customers to watch the network. 

Fubo carries the entire ESPN family of networks, so you'll be covered for all of the NFL's 2024 contests with that service. It offers a free trial for users in the United States. 

Hulu + Live TV is another available streaming platform. It is the only one that includes Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN. 

In addition, other streaming options that carry ESPN are Sling TV and YouTube TV. 

Will DirecTV get ESPN back?

It is currently unclear if DirecTV will get ESPN back on its platform. 

AT&T has not yet threatened to walk away from negotiations with ESPN, meaning there is still hope.

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When will ESPN be back on DirecTV?

It is unclear when ESPN will be back on DirecTV. 

Considering both sides seem content with the current stalemate, there is no clear timeline for a return.

However, if a deal is made, then ESPN could be back up and available on DirecTV immediately.