Carriage fights create some strange bedfellows.
DirecTV, at loggerheads with Disney over a new deal for ESPN, ABC and other networks, announced that it would give its customers a $30 credit toward two competing streaming TV services — Sling, from longtime satellite rival Dish Network, and Fubo.
Disney and Disney failed to reach an agreement before up the Sept. 1 expiration of their prior agreement, resulting in ESPN, ABC, Disney Channel and the rest of Disney’s networks getting pulled from the DirecTV lineup.
The new offer from DirecTV signals that the two sides aren’t close to reaching a détente. DirecTV will provide a $30 credit for customers who sign up to Fubo (via fubotv.com/deal) for a seven-day free trial from Fubo, either for the Pro ($80/month) or Elite with Sports Plus ($100/month) plans — with $30 off the first month after that. In addition, DirecTV will provide a $30 credit for Fubo users.
DirecTV’s offer for Sling (via sling.com/directv) will provide a $30 credit to offset the cost of the Sling Orange service, which includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Disney Channel, Freeform and other Disney networks.
“Unfortunately, Disney is back at it again, this time targeting DirecTV customers. That’s why we’re giving you more ways to watch this weekend’s college football games, Monday Night Football and the U.S. Open – on us,” DirecTV said in a blog post announcing the offers.
DirecTV customers can get more info about how to redeem the $30 credit at tvpromise.com starting Saturday, Sept. 7. Once redeemed, the credit will apply to active DirecTV accounts within two months.
“This is a small way to help you stay connected to your sports and entertainment while we work with Disney to reach a new agreement,” the satellite and streaming TV provider said in the blog.
Separately, Disney-owned Hulu on Friday announced a new promotion giving a $30 credit to new subscribers who sign up for a Hulu + Live TV plan through Sept. 11. The offer is available at hulu.com/live-tv. The Hulu + Live TV subscription provides viewers with a more than 95 TV channels — including ESPN — plus access to Hulu’s entire on-demand streaming library.
Earlier Friday, Disney launched a campaign to tell DirecTV customers that they have “plenty of options” to get ABC, ESPN and others from rival providers, including Fubo and Sling.
