DIRECTV STREAM and DIRECTV via Internet customers may be without their Disney-owned channels as the two companies negotiate a truce, but DIRECTV is trying to make amends. If you’re a subscriber, you can get a one-time $20 credit for the inconvenience.
How to Get the $20 Credit
- Visit the DIRECTV refund page
- Enter the email associated with your DIRECTV STREAM (or Via Internet) account
- Hit Submit
To receive credit, you must maintain an active account until the credit is applied. Credits are applied in up to two bill cycles.
What Channels Are Affected?
- ABC
- ACC Network
- Disney Channel
- Disney Junior
- Disney XD
- Freeform
- FX
- FXM
- FXX
- Nat Geo Mundo
- Nat Geo Wild
- National Geographic
- SEC Network
What Are Your Options to Watch in the Meantime?
Streaming services like Fubo, Hulu Live TV, and Sling TV are good choices for people fleeing DIRECTV. See how each service stacks up in our in-depth breakdown of the dispute.
| Fubo | Hulu | Sling TV | YouTube | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free 3-Day Trial | Get 50% OFF | Sign Up | |||
| $94.99 | $82.99 | $40 | $40 | $72.99 | ||
| ABC | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| ACC Network | ✓ | ✓ | + $11 | - | ✓ | |
| Disney Channel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
| Disney Junior | ✓ | ✓ | + $6 | - | ✓ | |
| Disney XD | ✓ | ✓ | + $6 | - | ✓ | |
| Freeform | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
| FX | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| FXM | + $8 | ✓ | - | + $6 | ✓ | |
| FXX | ✓ | ✓ | - | + $6 | ✓ | |
| Nat Geo Mundo | + $20 | - | - | - | - | |
| Nat Geo Wild | + $8 | ✓ | - | + $6 | ✓ | |
| National Geographic | ✓ | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| SEC Network | + $8 | ✓ | + $11 | - | ✓ | |
How Long Will This Dispute Go On?
Both sides are posturing as if this will drag on for a long time, but that’s normal for disputes like this. When carriage disputes break out near the start of the football season, they’re often resolved within a week or two. It all depends on the non-negotiables on each side.
For its side, DIRECTV is pushing for flexible channel packages. On its website, the company writes, “Consumers want the ability to choose from genre-based programming without piecing together and purchasing an extensive lineup of channels that don’t meet their desires.”
Disney, of course, wants every carrier who desires ESPN to have to pay for chanels like Disney Channel and National Geographic that may have little audience overlap. We know from court documents that Disney charges ESPN carriers $9.42 per month per subscriber. DIRECTV doesn’t even have the option of offering standalone ESPN because Disney forces them to carry the other channels in the Disney family.
It’s possible DIRECTV could continue offering the $20 credit each month the dispute drags on. But if the battle lasts longer than a month, it could be a protracted fight.
DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM is The Streamable’s choice for the best live TV streaming service for users who want the most channels. With an unbeatable lineup of local, news, sports, and entertainment channels, four main channel packages, an unlimited DVR, and 20 simultaneous streams at home, DIRECTV STREAM is a great choice for any cord-cutter.