The deadline has come and gone and DIRECTV couldn’t make a deal with Disney. This means important channels like ABC, Disney Channel, ESPN, Freeform, and FX have gone dark on platforms like DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV Via Internet.
Carriage disputes are nothing new for TV providers. Most media companies wait until football season to wage war since that’s when they have the most leverage as they know how important NFL and college football are for ad-revenue and subscriber totals. Losing ABC and the ESPN collection will throw a serious monkey wrench in the viewing plans for any football fan. If this move has you scrambling for a new TV provider, we’ll walk you through your options.
What Channels Did DIRECTV Drop?
Disney owns a large number of channels. DIRECTV subscribers can no longer see ABC, Freeform, FX, Disney Channel, ACC Network, Disney Junior, Disney XD, FXM, FXX, Nat Geo Mundo, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic or SEC Network.
To keep viewing, check out these alternatives:
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV would never lose Disney-owned channels because the service itself is also a Disney property.
In addition to 33 of the top 35 cable channels, and an unlimited DVR, Hulu Live TV also includes free access to Hulu on demand, Disney+, and ESPN+. No other service gives you so much entertainment for one subscription.
You’ll get all of your live local network affiliates like ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo, and The CW.
Hulu also has a handful of regional sports networks including Monumental Sports Network, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports California, NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBC Sports Philadelphia+, and SportsNet NY.
Switching to Hulu + Live TV would mean losing AMC and WE tv.
Thankfully, Hulu + Live TV is now offering a rare 3-day FREE trial, so you can experience all it has to offer without any risk.
Full comparison: DIRECTV STREAM vs. Hulu + Live TV ►
Sling TV
Sling TV includes 27 of the top 35 cable channels. Sling’s unique price structure allows you to save a significant amount of money if you’re willing to choose a smaller channel bundle. Overall, the service offers as many as 143 channels.
If you leave DIRECTV STREAM for Sling, you’d lose access to Disney Junior, FXX, Hallmark Channel, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, VH1, and WE tv
Although Sling does offer ABC, it’s only available in eight markets: Chicago, Fresno, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Raleigh-Durham, and San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose. If you live outside those markets, Sling does not offer ABC.
Sling TV does not carry regional sports networks, so that may be a dealbreaker for some sports fans.
If you sign up now, you can get all the best sports Sling has to offer for just $50/month with a 4-month plan.
Full comparison: DIRECTV STREAM vs. Sling TV ►
Fubo
If you love regional sports, Fubo is the only non-DIRECTV choice that has a similar lineup. It still offers those crucial Bally Sports RSNs and most of the Disney channels DIRECTV lost. You can start streaming today with a FREE trial.
Fubo includes 19 of the top 35 cable channels. If you max it out, you can watch as many as 226 channels.
Unfortunately, switching to Fubo means losing A&E, AMC, Cartoon Network, CNN, Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, History, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime, TBS, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV, and WE tv
Full comparison: Fubo vs. DIRECTV STREAM ►
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a popular option, and one that does everything well, but Sling TV is a better option on price, Hulu Live TV gives you far more entertainment for virtually the same price.
Still, you’d get 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and an unlimited DVR.
Choosing YouTube TV over DIRECTV STREAM would mean losing A&E, History, and Lifetime.
Full comparison: DIRECTV STREAM vs. YouTube TV ►
Comparison Chart
| DTV STREAM | Fubo | Hulu | Philo | Sling TV | YouTube | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free Trial | Free 3-Day Trial | Free Trial | Get 50% OFF | Sign Up | |||
| $86.99 | $94.99 | $82.99 | $28 | $40 | $40 | $72.99 | ||
| ABC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| ACC Network | + $28 | ✓ | ✓ | - | + $11 | - | ✓ | |
| Disney Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
| Disney Junior | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | + $6 | - | ✓ | |
| Disney XD | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | + $6 | - | ✓ | |
| Freeform | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
| FX | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| FXM | + $43 | + $8 | ✓ | - | - | + $6 | ✓ | |
| FXX | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | - | + $6 | ✓ | |
| Nat Geo Mundo | + $15 | + $20 | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Nat Geo Wild | + $43 | + $8 | ✓ | - | - | + $6 | ✓ | |
| National Geographic | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| SEC Network | + $28 | + $8 | ✓ | - | + $11 | - | ✓ | |
How to Watch ABC With an Antenna
If you want a long-term solution to watch ABC for free, we recommend investing in an antenna. Yes, there’s a small upfront cost, but it’s a great tool in any cord-cutter’s arsenal. Simply plug the antenna into the back of your TV, scan for channels, and you should get access to dozens of options, though those depend on where you live. In most places, you can get PBS, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo, The CW, and Univision for free over the air.
One For All HDTV Indoor Antenna
Up to 25 Mile Range
Mohu Leaf 50
Up to 60 Mile Range
If you want to supercharge the antenna option, consider upgrading with a device like the HDHomeRun Flex Duo. You can grab it at Amazon for $109.99. Plug your antenna into this small box and you’ll be able to access your antenna signal over Wi-Fi with any TV, computer, mobile phone, or tablet in your home.
You can even run the HDHomeRun through Plex and enjoy an unlimited DVR, accessible anywhere.