During the Disney Blackout, DirecTV is offering a $30 credit for Sling or Fubo
Carriage fights make for strange bedfellows.
DirecTV, which has been at odds with Disney over a new deal for ESPN, ABC and other networks, announced it would give its customers a $30 credit for two competing streaming TV services: Sling, from longtime satellite rival Dish Network , and Fubo.
Disney and DirecTV failed to reach an agreement before their previous agreement expired on September 1, leading to ESPN, ABC, Disney Channel, NatGeo, Freeform and the rest of Disney’s networks being dropped from the DirecTV lineup.
DirecTV’s new offering indicates that the two sides are not yet close to a detente. DirecTV is offering a $30 credit to customers who sign up with Fubo (via fubotv.com/deal) for a seven-day free trial of Fubo on either the Pro ($80/month) or Elite with Sports Plus ($100/month) plans – with $30 off the first month afterward. Additionally, DirecTV is offering a $30 credit to Fubo users.
DirecTV’s offer for new Sling subscribers (via sling.com/directv) offers a $10 discount on the first month of Sling Orange service (regularly $40/month), including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Disney Channel, Freeform and other Disney networks; and DirecTV will provide a $30 credit to offset the remaining costs.
“Unfortunately, Disney is at it again, this time targeting DirecTV customers. That’s why we’re bringing you more ways to watch this weekend’s college football games, Monday Night Football and the US Open with us,” DirecTV said in a blog post announcing the offers.
DirecTV customers can learn more about how to redeem the $30 credit at tvpromise.com from Saturday September 7. Once redeemed, the credit will be applied to active DirecTV accounts within two months.
“This is one small way to help you stay connected to your sports and entertainment as we work with Disney to reach a new agreement,” the satellite and streaming TV provider said in the blog post.
In addition, Disney-owned Hulu announced a new promotion on Friday where new subscribers who sign up for a Hulu + Live TV subscription through September 11 will receive a $30 credit. The offer is available on hulu.com/live-tv. The Hulu + Live TV subscription gives viewers more than 95 TV channels – including ESPN – plus access to Hulu’s entire on-demand streaming library.
Earlier Friday, Disney launched a campaign to remind DirecTV customers that they have “plenty of options” to get ABC, ESPN and other nets from competing providers, including Fubo and Sling.