Solve the problem with ESPN & ABC!

In the next few weeks we are getting fiber internet installed in our neighborhood. I am looking into streaming programming that would provide what we watch and at what cost. Things like this give an even bigger push to go in that direction. It's a curious thing that when you pull up your DIRECTV account on the computer there is nowhere where they list your contract duration.

@tae111 Keep in mind that if you switch, it'll only be a matter of time until that provider has to negotiate with channels. No provider is immune.

In fact, the only streaming provider with regional sports channels is DirecTV Stream. If you're a fan of any NHL, NBA or MLB team, you won't be able to watch the teams in your area OR your favorite teams when they play the teams in your area home or away.

@cbrandonharris Go ahead. Your choice and no one care if you go or not. Threats will not resolve the issue. Good luck with your new adventure.

@baseballisback I am a Yankee fan and would subscribe to Yes on my Roku TV. Also maybe YouTube TV or Hulu Live. I do like the option to record Yankee games and watch them later and I don't think that's an option with streaming. I already have Paramount+, Peacock, Amazon Prime, and Disney plus Hulu no adds. That pretty much covers most of the local channels I get. I'll have to do some research and look at the costs and what available before I do anything. I've had DIRECTV Satellite for over 30 years so maybe it's time for a look around.

Screwed the disputes. Fix the problem and give us the programming we are paying for.   If not then charge us less.  If not I’ll just switch. Many more options now a days 

YouTube TV has ESPN.  I’m about to cancel and switch if there is no deal by tonight!  You guys do this right when nfl and college football are about to start F… you guys,

Who is You Guys? We are all just users like yourself and have no control over anything DirecTV does. 

@tae111 

My DIRECTV bill is like a car payment.

If you mean the amount, then review your services and see what you're actually using. It is just entertainment after all.

However, after that the comparison ends. A car is a physical product you own in the end. We don't own the channels, and neither does DirecTV. They have to pay the actual owners (Disney in this case) to carry their channels or authorize specific content on affiliated channels.

It is Disney's right to pull the channel when the carriage agreement ends, or if they leverage a clause in the agreement to bring up a dispute. Interesting it happens right at this time. Nobody is obligated to provide you ESPN or any other specific channel. DirecTV providers programming by satellite, but that programming may change at any time.

The concern is once the channels are back that this factors into the next price adjustment adding even more to our bills. And no TV provider is immune to this happening. So this is just time for DirecTV and Disney.

@Doyers99 Then just switch! Be prepared for blackouts where ever you go.

@tae111 We have the Premier package for at least 17 years (not as long as you) HE left Comcast when they took away the NFL channel. We have more add ons (DVR, 3 genies, 2 set tops & more fees) so he pays $309 a month!! He might change is mind on streaming on Thursdays this year. I upgraded to 5G Home after 30+ yrs of DSL. He had better luck (not much) watching on his computer than the TV. I've been reading Fios MIGHT come to town. If it happens in my lifetime, I'll do my research. We have lived through a few of these blackouts; only one coming to mind now is FOX since I watch FOX shows :) No sports for me.

@gailee69 That's Directv Satellite. This is the Directv Stream forum

Well, if you use a VPN with DirecTV and they catch it you can be terminated. They are against their T&C. Advertisers are demanding customers support them in their DMA.

@ahernandezch99 

Negotiations start well be fore the agreement date. It happens behind the scenes, so ideally gets renewed where we customers didn't even know it was coming up. What happens is when an agreement is deemed not favorable enough the channel owner starts their scrawl message and other notices "threatening" to pull the channel if their terms are not met by the deadline. When an agreement comes up at a key time, such as any sports season starting, this is more likely to happen as allows the channel owner to leverage the consumers against the TV provider.

As for VPN, that is just you breaking the rules for what is in-market. You do so at your own risk. But that is just your own greed (two-way street) to break the rules because of the "i want it and I want it now" mentality. Remember, you don't have a right to the game the owner of the broadcast rights (Disney and the league as well as specific teams with their home area rules) says so.

I have had DIRECTV satellite and now streaming services on and off for over 12 years. Each time I’ve signed up with DIRECTV this contract negotiation with ABC seems to be a problem. This is one of the reasons I have switched from DirectTv to other providers over the years. As a paying customer, I expect to receive the service I was promised and DIRECTV fails every time.