DirecTV customers are currently unable to receive ACC Network and other channels in the ESPN family due to an ongoing contract dispute between Disney-owned ESPN and DirecTV (owned by AT&T). However, there are plenty of free solutions for college football fans who don’t want to miss a minute of the upcoming football weekend.
ACC Network, SEC Network and other sports channels in the ESPN family are carried by every other major live internet TV streaming service, including fuboTV (free trial), Sling ($25 off first month) and others. These services also include other Disney-owned channels like ESPN2 and ESPNU, which carry select NCAA football games. Fans can also sign up for ESPN+ to watch more college football games, but be sure to check the schedule to see if your team is playing on the service that weekend, as it doesn’t offer a free trial.
ELECTRICITY: ACC Network and more college football on fuboTV (free trial + $30 off first month).
Here are your options for watching ACC Network college football games while they are locked on DirecTV.
Why did DirecTV drop ESPN?
Disney’s 5-year contract with DirecTV expired on Sunday, September 1, and an unresolved negotiation between DirecTV and Disney over a contract extension resulted in DirecTV removing all Disney-owned channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN News, ACC Network, SEC Network, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, FX and some local ABC affiliates. DirecTV says Disney is pursuing profits “at the expense of the consumer.” Disney says DirecTV undervalues its portfolio of entertainment channels.
Disney was involved in a similar dispute with Spectrum last year at the start of the college football and NFL seasons.
The ban will prevent customers from watching all broadcasts – from the ongoing US Open to the start of the NFL season and college football games.
READ MORE: Where to watch ESPN, ABC and other Disney channels after the DirecTV dispute
Where else can I watch ACC Network?
Every other major live internet TV streaming service currently offers ACC Network as part of its lineup, but some charge additional fees to access more specialized sports channels involved in the dispute, such as ACC Network, SEC Network and ESPNU. Some, like fuboTV, offer free trials so you can sign up and use the service for free before deciding whether to continue with your subscription.
Here you can see what each service offers.
BEST CHOICE: fuboTV (free trial)
fuboTV is a comprehensive live TV streaming service that offers more than 190 channels including ESPN, ESPN2, ACC Network, unlimited cloud DVR and the ability to watch up to 10 streams simultaneously. Even college sports networks like the ACC Network are included in the base price. The focus is on sports and there are even dedicated exclusive Fubo Sports channels that broadcast exclusive international soccer matches and other sports. For a limited time, fuboTV is offering the first month after your free trial for just $49.99. After that, the price is $79.99 per month.
CHEAPEST: Sling TV Orange + Sports Extra ($25 off first month)
Sling TV is a great option if you’re looking to save a little on your streaming costs. At $40 per month, it’s cheaper than all of its major competitors, and fans can save $25 on their first month, which could be enough to get through the contract dispute and enjoy the first few weeks of college football. Fans will need the $15/month Sports Extra package to ensure they get ACC Network, but even at $51 per month, Sling is still cheaper than other live TV services. It lacks local channels, but you can fix that with an HD antenna like this one. Sling Orange includes all of the Disney-owned channels you’re looking for, including ESPN, ESPN2, and more.
BEST FOR DISNEY: Hulu + Live TV
If you love Disney-owned channels, Hulu + Live TV might be your best buy on the list. The $76.99 basic subscription includes over 90 channels, including ACC Network and SEC Network, right in the base price. As a Disney-owned service, it also offers all the Disney-owned channels you could want, like FX, Disney XD, and more. Your subscription fee also includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, which more than makes up for the short, three-day free trial.
Can I receive ACC Network with ESPN Plus?
NO. Although some ACC Network games also air on ESPN Plus, the streaming service does not guarantee complete access to ACC Network games. ESPN Plus offers its own exclusive slate of college games each week.
Is ACC Network Extra included in ACC Network?
Yes. If you get ACC Network through one of the streaming services above, you’ll also have access to ACC Network Extra, which you can watch on ESPN.com by logging in with your internet TV or cable login credentials. Read more about ACC Network Extra, including step-by-step instructions on how to watch games on the channel.
What about other cable providers?
The DTV-Disney dispute only affects DirecTV subscribers. You can learn more about other cable providers using this channel finder: Verizon Fios, Cox, Xfinity, Spectrum, Optimum
