ESPN and DirecTV

Rjdbruin

Active Member
I am in Canada and have Direct t.v. but NO ESPN channel because the contract with Disney the owner of the ESPN channels has expired.

I am guessing all the US direct t.v. customers are getting the same message when trying to watch ESPN?
 
Same issue here. Every year near football season some sort of disruption but usually with local channels. Don't think DirecTV is the bad guy either. These networks want to jack prices up so much that providers don't have much choice but to pass the cost to consumers. If blackout continues, I won't miss ESPN all that much.
 
Same issue here. Every year near football season some sort of disruption but usually with local channels. Don't think DirecTV is the bad guy either. These networks want to jack prices up so much that providers don't have much choice but to pass the cost to consumers. If blackout continues, I won't miss ESPN all that much.
Just saying it doesn't happen on cable or dish very often. I've never had it happen with Cox in 20 years.

It's directv. I know of maybe once it happened with dish network, but no one else seems to have issues negotiating with locals and/or cable channels very often. I remember having to deal with a subscription for an NFL playoff game because the local cbs station was blacked out with dtv in Iowa when I was home once. What a pain in the ass. Buddy left a really high end gig with directv maybe 6-7 years ago because of shit like this. Obviously it hasn't improved.
 
Just saying it doesn't happen on cable or dish very often. I've never had it happen with Cox in 20 years.

It's directv. I know of maybe once it happened with dish network, but no one else seems to have issues negotiating with locals and/or cable channels very often. I remember having to deal with a subscription for an NFL playoff game because the local cbs station was blacked out with dtv in Iowa when I was home once. What a pain in the ass. Buddy left a really high end gig with directv maybe 6-7 years ago because of shit like this. Obviously it hasn't improved.
I've had Dish in the past, same stuff. Mostly just local channels. But now ESPN (but they say it's a Disney thing) is for sure not a DirecTV bad guy thing. ESPN has been losing a bunch of money last few years. They want to raise prices to providers but providers don't. They are both stupid but don't think for a second these networks not trying to rape providers. And DirecTV, no longer with NFL Ticket, is not gonna commit total suicide on this and gouge their remaining customers.
 
I've had Dish in the past, same stuff. Mostly just local channels. But now ESPN (but they say it's a Disney thing) is for sure not a DirecTV bad guy thing. ESPN has been losing a bunch of money last few years. They want to raise prices to providers but providers don't. They are both stupid but don't think for a second these networks not trying to rape providers. And DirecTV, no longer with NFL Ticket, is not gonna commit total suicide on this and gouge their remaining customers.
Well to that end directv became incredibly awful at negotations with a LOT of brands/networks because of NFL Ticket for years acting like they had so much leverage (which they did) that networks couldn't afford to not be on board with them. Karma is catching up, and again it was blatantly obvious to my buddy there years ago when the beginning of thinking about negotiations with the NFL started. I remember having that talk on the course one day...and he said he simply had to look to the future and it was going to be awful. I mean he still does basically the same thing for a more regional cable company but has to travel to the Midwest and Southeast a ton now where as when he was with Dtv it might be a couple trips to Idaho and Utah twice a month.
 
Complete dick move by both no matter how you slice it to pull that yesterday. Ya know, because they care about the people.
 
Well to that end directv became incredibly awful at negotations with a LOT of brands/networks because of NFL Ticket for years acting like they had so much leverage (which they did) that networks couldn't afford to not be on board with them. Karma is catching up, and again it was blatantly obvious to my buddy there years ago when the beginning of thinking about negotiations with the NFL started. I remember having that talk on the course one day...and he said he simply had to look to the future and it was going to be awful. I mean he still does basically the same thing for a more regional cable company but has to travel to the Midwest and Southeast a ton now where as when he was with Dtv it might be a couple trips to Idaho and Utah twice a month.
There's so much dumbshit going on with TV providers and options that make no damn sense. Amazon? Apple? YouTube? Peacock? The public is getting played and the hard core sports fan has to take it in the poop chute for trying to figure out what the best option is to watch all the major sports for a reasonable price. Problem we have is these newer cock blockers can still keep you from watching your team even if you have a season pass which is total bullshit. The public is getting nickled and dimed everywhere and it sucks!
 
Complete dick move by both no matter how you slice it to pull that yesterday. Ya know, because they care about the people.
Funny thing about this is I just happened to switch to ESPN and within 2 seconds the channel went out. I mean yeah, weird timing right before kickoff so this has got to be an ESPN dick move
 
FWIW
I have DTV .
I called DTV and they credited me 50$ today because I asked for a supervisor and demanded it.
Told them that losing 4 channels of sports 24-7 is the channels I watch most. It also killed other channels Disney owns channels 610 etc. More channels will be affected.
Call and get a refund.
I watched it on a private website through the internet. Other wise I wouldnt have seen it.
 
It’s going to suck for this Saturday. If it goes past Monday night football, then it’s going to be a real problem. I would imagine something gets resolved by kickoff Monday night.
 
An antenna will allow you to watch ABC games assuming you live near an ABC broadcast station. A 3' long speaker wire will probably work.

If you do not want to call, you can get a $20 credit in the links here:

The catch is DIRECTV, U-Verse TV, and DIRECTV STREAM customers have to apply for the one-time credit as it will not be automatically included. If you are a DIRECTV STREAM customer, you can find how to request your $20 refund HERE. DIRECTV and U-Verse TV customers can get their refund by going HERE.

Here are the details about the refund as posted on the DIRECTV STREAM website: Note: To receive your refund online, the email address you provide must be linked to an active DIRECTV STREAM account. You must also have a valid credit card or debit card as your payment method. Online refunds are not available for accounts paid with PayPal.”
 
An antenna will allow you to watch ABC games assuming you live near an ABC broadcast station. A 3' long speaker wire will probably work.

If you do not want to call, you can get a $20 credit in the links here:

The catch is DIRECTV, U-Verse TV, and DIRECTV STREAM customers have to apply for the one-time credit as it will not be automatically included. If you are a DIRECTV STREAM customer, you can find how to request your $20 refund HERE. DIRECTV and U-Verse TV customers can get their refund by going HERE.

Here are the details about the refund as posted on the DIRECTV STREAM website: Note: To receive your refund online, the email address you provide must be linked to an active DIRECTV STREAM account. You must also have a valid credit card or debit card as your payment method. Online refunds are not available for accounts paid with PayPal.”
Thanks for the link.
 
This needs to be cleared up, quickly.
Both sides claim that MNF will not play a role in how this gets handled. We'll see.

Randomly my mother has directv and is missing the ESPN channels but still gets the local ABC channel through the box, not sure how that works but she does pay her dtv bill wrapped up into one bill with her ISP
 
Both sides claim that MNF will not play a role in how this gets handled. We'll see.

Randomly my mother has directv and is missing the ESPN channels but still gets the local ABC channel through the box, not sure how that works but she does pay her dtv bill wrapped up into one bill with her ISP
ABC is only blocked if Disney owns the station you get the broadcast from.
 
An antenna will allow you to watch ABC games assuming you live near an ABC broadcast station. A 3' long speaker wire will probably work.

If you do not want to call, you can get a $20 credit in the links here:

The catch is DIRECTV, U-Verse TV, and DIRECTV STREAM customers have to apply for the one-time credit as it will not be automatically included. If you are a DIRECTV STREAM customer, you can find how to request your $20 refund HERE. DIRECTV and U-Verse TV customers can get their refund by going HERE.

Here are the details about the refund as posted on the DIRECTV STREAM website: Note: To receive your refund online, the email address you provide must be linked to an active DIRECTV STREAM account. You must also have a valid credit card or debit card as your payment method. Online refunds are not available for accounts paid with PayPal.”
gonna call while I'm watching a game on + via laptop.
 
Probably not a good time to announce this, but Directv Stream is raising their prices again.

I have a grandfathered account when it was first started, I think it was called Directv Now at the time Then it morphed into AT&T Now, AT&T Stream, Direct TV stream, Directv, etc. Anyway, it was $35/month for life, ha ha. It was their largest channel package at the time, called Go Big. Anyway, I am currently paying $107/month with taxes, fees, and their increases in price. I assume my new monthly payment will be raised another $5.

Here are the price increases on their current packages:

The price hikes will see the entry-level “Entertainment” package jump from $79.99 to $86.99 per month, a $7 increase. Other packages are also seeing significant price bumps:

  • Choice: $114.99/mo (previously $108.99) – $6 increase
  • Ultimate: $129.99/mo (previously $119.99) – $10 increase
  • Premier: $169.99/mo (previously $164.99) – $5 increase
 
Curious how sports bars are handling this since 90% of them are DirecTV. I haven't been to one in the last week but only know of one chain here that has both Dtv and Cox (they did that for ASU games on P12 network) and one place that does streaming for Man City games on Peacock/Paramount Plus.

Anyone have anything regarding this where you're at?
 
Curious how sports bars are handling this since 90% of them are DirecTV. I haven't been to one in the last week but only know of one chain here that has both Dtv and Cox (they did that for ASU games on P12 network) and one place that does streaming for Man City games on Peacock/Paramount Plus.

Anyone have anything regarding this where you're at?
Great question. I'll ask some people.

We use Xfinity.
 
ESPN rarely has many must watch NCAAF games. Maybe a 7:00pm EST is probably best they offer but I hardly watch any ESPN channels anyway unless it involves a live game, but seems they get outbid by the major networks for the must see tv games.
 
ESPN rarely has many must watch NCAAF games. Maybe a 7:00pm EST is probably best they offer but I hardly watch any ESPN channels anyway unless it involves a live game, but seems they get outbid by the major networks for the must see tv games.
It's the ABC games which are a ton of the Disney business

This is bigger than ESPN v directv. There are a ton of overlying factors involved when it comes to local networks
 
It's the ABC games which are a ton of the Disney business

This is bigger than ESPN v directv. There are a ton of overlying factors involved when it comes to local networks
I still get my local ABC. Are you saying you aren't?
 
Well I don't have directv

But my mother gets local ABC, shie's the only one I actively talk to about this shit. Most people who are completely dTV lost ABC as well
I'm just saying I do have DirecTV so I know all the current consequences. ESPN channels still out but ABC is still fine for me.
 
I'm just saying I do have DirecTV so I know all the current consequences. ESPN channels still out but ABC is still fine for me.
Yeah has to do with the provider. A bunch of people don't get local ABC, it's all in their contract

She pays her DTV bill through her network provider, I assume that's involved
 
Yeah has to do with the provider. A bunch of people don't get local ABC, it's all in their contract

She pays her DTV bill through her network provider, I assume that's involved
Well that's kinda weird that ABC varies state by state, but that's further proof that it's not DirecTV's fault in this.
 
Well that's kinda weird that ABC varies state by state, but that's further proof that it's not DirecTV's fault in this.
Oh it ain't just Disney

DirecTV is a LOT at fault. They both suck and are losing propositions if you're betting on either.
 
Oh it ain't just Disney

DirecTV is a LOT at fault. They both suck and are losing propositions if you're betting on either
I don't know what else to say. DirecTV is not going to sabotage itself for football season unless there are unreasonable negotiations by the other side, or by some infiltrators in their decision making by competitors from within. We'll never know all the true details but common sense makes me think it's more of an ESPN greedy stance in this.
 
I don't know what else to say. DirecTV is not going to sabotage itself for football season unless there are unreasonable negotiations by the other side, or by some infiltrators in their decision making by competitors from within. We'll never know all the true details but common sense makes me think it's more of an ESPN greedy stance in this.
I've already said it in this thread. DirecTV DID sabotage itself years ago acting like they were King when they had the NFL Ticket. Now they're getting what they deserve. A one way ticket to bankruptcy.
 
DirecTV is the Atari of the cable world

It will be fun to laugh at 15 years from now like we were old curmudgeons
 
I've already said it in this thread. DirecTV DID sabotage itself years ago acting like they were King when they had the NFL Ticket. Now they're getting what they deserve. A one way ticket to bankruptcy.
Well I totally disagree. The NFL is to blame for that. The highest bidder is gonna get the prize. YouTube tv who I think has the rights now will go bankrupt before long. The NFL is trying to make as much as they can for tv rights because they can, although there have been lawsuits brought up against them to keep them from trying to monopolize the tv industry. Big money always wins and the average joes are left to figure out where to find the channels they want the most. It's a no win situation for us fans, but the NFL always wins.
 
Well I totally disagree. The NFL is to blame for that. The highest bidder is gonna get the prize. YouTube tv who I think has the rights now will go bankrupt before long. The NFL is trying to make as much as they can for tv rights because they can, although there have been lawsuits brought up against them to keep them from trying to monopolize the tv industry. Big money always wins and the average joes are left to figure out where to find the channels they want the most. It's a no win situation for us fans, but the NFL always wins.
LOL no

DirecTV is hanging on by a thread. At least I actually know that and they shouldn't still be in in business.
 
Unless spending more than you're generating is some new business strategy that I'm unaware of and negotiation strategy is meaningless
 
LOL no

DirecTV is hanging on by a thread. At least I actually know that and they shouldn't still be in in business.
Nah I doubt that. Still have plenty of channels to watch many college games. Plus many options for MLB. The NFL pimping itself out to different providers on different days to maximize revenue. Apple or Amazon on Thursdays, NFL network on some Saturdays, Fox and CBS locally Sunday day games (YouTube you can get them all), NBC Sunday night, and Monday ESPN. NFL can ask for the max and all those networks will pay to broadcast. Sadly, we can't get all those channels in one service, but at one time DirecTV did. The NFL is too damn greedy and is absolutely the culprit in all of this.
 
Curious how sports bars are handling this since 90% of them are DirecTV. I haven't been to one in the last week but only know of one chain here that has both Dtv and Cox (they did that for ASU games on P12 network) and one place that does streaming for Man City games on Peacock/Paramount Plus.

Anyone have anything regarding this where you're at?

I usually go to FanDuel for the early games.

None of the TV's had any of the ESPN channels.
 
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I usually go to FanDuel for the early games.

None of the TV's had any of the ESPN channels.
I guess that's a different animal if you're actually going to a sportsbook

I'm more interested in how the joe public sports bars are handling it

I don't even go anymore except for soccer but know Dtv is how they remain operational
 
I don’t know many with DirectTV anymore. Even bars here. I have Cox cable and a fire stick for home use… kind of a pain in the ass having to switch back n forth but between those channels I don’t miss much that I want to see sports wise
 
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I don’t know many with DirectTV anymore. Even bars here. I have Cox cable and a fire stick for home use… kind of a pain in the ass having to switch back n forth but between those channels I don’t miss much that I want to see sports wise
I'm at the point with Cox that if I'm hungry I feel like I should be able to shout "8 tacos" at my tv
 
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