DIRECTV Offers $30 Credit To Get Fubo Or Sling TV

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow on X.
Former editor of Satellite DIRECT magazine. Reported on DIRECTV for 30 years.

DIRECTV, which last Sunday lost the entire suite of Disney channels, including ESPN, due to a carriage dispute between the companies, is trying tonight to keep its subscribers from defecting permanently before this weekend’s football games. The satcaster is offering a credit to purchase one month from either Fubo or Sling TV, both of which carry ESPN and the rest of the Disney networks.

In a blog posted at its site, DIRECTV notes that Fubo is now available for $30 off the first month, bringing its cheapest plan price to $49.99. However, DIRECTV says it will provide an additional $30 off the price via a credit at its TV Promise page. The company says instructions on how to get the credit will be posted tomorrow, September 7, at the TV Promise page. To learn more about the Fubo/DIRECTV deal, go to this page.

In addition, DIRECTV says it will provide a $30 credit to subscribe to Sling TV’s Orange plan (normally $40 a month) which includes ESPN and ABC in several markets. To learn more about the Sling deal, click here.

It’s unclear if a DIRECTV subscriber already applied for a $20 credit, which was offered earlier this week, whether he or she will receive the full $30 or just $10 if they now subscribe to Fubo or Sling TV.

Update: DIRECTV confirms that $30 is the maximum credit, meaning you would get $10 if you already applied for the $20 credit.

The offer may seem unusual considering that Fubo and Sling TV are rivals. But Charter’s Spectrum TV made a similar offer for Fubo a year ago when it was involved in a blackout dispute with Disney.

“As the leaves turn each fall, you can be sure of two things – football season will be in full swing, and Disney will do everything it can to keep you from watching your favorite team unless they offer it to you exclusively 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,” the company states. “Both alternatives allow you to access Disney networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Disney Channel, Freeform, and others.”

DIRECTV says once the credit is redeemed, it will apply to active DIRECTV accounts within two months.

Meanwhile, Disney is now offering $30 off the first month of its Hulu Live streaming service, which, of course, also carries ESPN and the Disney networks.

The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.

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