It takes a lot of effort for a pay-TV provider to subsidize its own customers when they want to try out a competitor. But in a surprising move, DirecTV is doing just that.
As the broadcast dispute between Disney and DirecTV drags on, leaving millions of subscribers without Disney channels like ABC, ESPN and FX, both sides are beginning to explain their options to the satellite TV provider’s customers so they don’t miss the U.S. Open or college football broadcasts this weekend.
And it’s notable that DirecTV is actually partnering with and directing customers to two of its streaming competitors: Dish’s Sling TV and Fubo. DirecTV is also offering to chip in $30 to subsidize the switch. In a blog post Friday afternoon, DirecTV offered to “bring your football back at our expense.”
Customers who sign up for Fubo receive a one-week free trial, $30 off the first month after the trial, and a $30 credit on their next DirecTV bill. If they choose to subscribe to Sling Orange, they receive a $10 discount and a $30 credit on their DirecTV bill.
“This is a small way to help you stay connected to your sports and entertainment while we work with Disney on a new agreement,” the company writes.
Disney, meanwhile, has posted messages to its customers on its networks and social channels about their options. “Hey DirecTV subscribers! Missing your favorite ABC and ESPN shows? No need to worry,” the company says, before listing a variety of options, including local cable companies as well as Fubo, Sling and YouTube TV. It also points to Hulu With Live TV, which is owned by Disney, and notes that “ABC is also available for free via antenna.”
And later on Friday, Hulu announced a special deal of its own: $30 off all Hulu With Live TV packages, valid only through September 11. While the Hulu deal notably made no mention of DirecTV (“Hulu is offering a special promotion just in time for the most popular sports and fall TV season,” it said), it’s hard to ignore the timing of the discount and the relatively short window of availability.
The offers represent a new level of tough negotiations between the companies and suggest that there is a possibility that talks on the launch of ESPN’s Monday Night Football in just a few days.
