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DirecTV subscribers were left in the dark earlier this month after Disney pulled its channels from the TV provider following a lengthy contract dispute. That means more than 11 million DirecTV subscribers were left without Disney-owned channels like ABC and ESPN.
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The outage couldn’t have come at a worse time for DirecTV, as it occurred on the opening weekend of ABC’s college football coverage and during ESPN’s ongoing coverage of the U.S. Open tennis tournament. Customers of DirecTV Stream, the company’s live TV streaming service, were also affected by the dispute, which came after DirecTV’s distribution deal with Disney expired on Sept. 1.
Fortunately, there are still ways to watch ABC and ESPN without DirecTV. The easiest option is also the cheapest: You can get an indoor digital TV antenna (like this one on Amazon) and get a live stream of your local ABC affiliate.
HP Store Indoor Digital TV Antenna
$27.99
This antenna is one of the most popular choices on Amazon, with a 4.7-star rating (out of five) from over 21,000 verified reviews. With a range of 400 miles, this indoor antenna will pick up ABC and all the other major networks, but you won’t be able to watch ESPN.
You can also try an OTT streaming service, which lets you watch live TV channels, including ABC and ESPN, online without cable. Here are some of the best options below.
Watch ABC and ESPN on Fubo
Your best bet is to switch from DirecTV to a cable provider that offers ESPN and ABC. We like Fubo, which offers over 200 live TV channels as part of its base package. In addition to ESPN and ABC, Fubo’s lineup includes NFL Network, FS1, and NBA TV for sports and entertainment channels like E!, FX, USA, and more.
Usually priced at $79.99/month, Fubo is currently running a promotion that lets you get instant access for just $49.99. Fubo lets you watch live TV over the internet on your phone, laptop, or tablet, or stream everything on your smart TV via the Fubo app. Test out Fubo with a generous 7-day free trial here with no commitment.
Watch ABC and ESPN on Hulu + Live TV
Another great option is Hulu + Live TV, which offers access to over 90 live TV channels in addition to Hulu’s extensive library of on-demand shows and movies. Hulu + Live TV packages include ABC and ESPN, allowing you to stream both channels live online without cable. Your Hulu subscription starts at just $76.99/month and also includes bonus access to Disney+ and ESPN+.
Hulu + Live TV offers a 3-day free trial here that you can use to test out the service.
Watch ABC and ESPN on Sling
And then there’s Sling, one of the most affordable live TV streaming services online, with plans down to just $20 right now. Usually $40 and up, the new promotion lets you save 50% on a monthly streaming plan. The Sling Orange plan includes ESPN, ESPN4K, ESPN2, and ESPN3. Most areas will also get a local ABC feed. Combine it with a Sling Blue plan for even more live streaming options. See more details here.
$20 $40 50% off
DirecTV assured its customers that it was working on a solution to get ESPN and ABC back on the air. The Walt Disney Company released a statement from Disney Entertainment co-chairmen Dana Walden and Alan Bergman and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, saying: “Our priority is to reach a market agreement that meets the needs of DirecTV and its customers while recognizing the value of our premium 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 essential balance and works for all parties, especially the consumer.”
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