How to Stream College Football This Weekend for DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM Customers Affected by TEGNA Outage
Another retransmission dispute is gripping the broadcast industry, as TEGNA-owned stations went dark for DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM and AT&T U-Verse customers last night.
DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, and AT&T U-Verse customers from coast to coast are waking up this morning to find that some of their local stations are no longer available. DIRECTV was unable to come to a last-minute resolution with TEGNA, a channel owner with 66 stations in 52 markets, resulting in those channels being blacked out for DIRECTV customers as of 8 p.m. ET on Thursday.
- Dispute between TEGNA and DIRECTV has caused NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates, as well as other channels, to go dark across the country on DIRECTV services.
- Both sides have blamed the other, and no resolution is currently in sight.
- There are several other live TV streaming services that offer local channels, and users can also pick up an over-the-air antenna if they don’t wish to cancel DIRECTV.
What’s Happening Between DIRECTV and TEGNA?
As per usual in retransmission disputes, TEGNA is asking for more money from DIRECTV to pick up its channels and retransmit them to customers than the satellite company thinks is fair. That has caused TEGNA to remove its channels from DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, and AT&T U-Verse channel guides.
Around 70% of these networks are affiliated with either CBS or NBC, with some ABC and Fox affiliates as well. That means DIRECTV users who live in a market with a TEGNA-owned station are at risk of missing out on top events this weekend that appear on local channels, including college football championship games and the week’s NFL contests.
Do You Have to Cancel DIRECTV STREAM To See NCAA, NFL Games?
Despite the blackout of TEGNA-owned local channels, users do not need to cancel DIRECTV STREAM and sign up for another live TV streaming service to watch their local channels this weekend. Purchasing an over-the-air antenna will grant you access to local channels with no subscriptions, nothing to sign up for, and no ongoing fees.
What DIRECTV STREAM Alternatives Are Available if You Have Canceled Your Service?
If you’ve decided this retransmission dispute with TEGNA is the last straw and you’re ready to move on from DIRECTV STREAM, there are several other streaming platforms that allow you to stream all your local channels, as well as top cable channels.
Fubo is especially good for users who enjoy watching live sports. It carries local channels in most major markets, as well as college sports networks like ACC Network, SEC Network, and all the other channels you’ll want to watch after seeing this weekend’s college championship games. Its plans start at $85.98 normally, but users can access a two-week free trial or get a healthy discount on their first two months of service for a limited time.
Hulu + Live TV also carries local channels, so you won’t have to worry about missing college championship games or the NFL this weekend if you pick this service as your alternative. And don’t forget the Disney Bundle; Hulu + Live TV subscribers who sign up at $76.99 or higher get Disney+, Hulu on-demand and ESPN+ included in their subscription for no extra cost.
Sling TV doesn’t carry local channels in the majority of markets, but if you’re grabbing an OTA antenna for those you can enjoy Sling for as little as $40 per month and watch favorite cable channels like ESPN, TNT and many more.
YouTube TV offers local channels in the vast majority of top markets, with plans starting at $72.99 per month. There are no special deals or free streaming services included with YouTube TV, but it is a viable option to watch college and NFL football if you’re moving on from DIRECTV STREAM.