Making television easy again. By Phillip Swann
ESPN is still on DIRECTV, U-verse and AT&T TV Now as of 5 a.m. ET on Saturday, but it’s unclear for how much longer. Update: It appears on Sunday morning (September 15) that a deal is done. See TVAnswerman.com for more information. AT&T and Disney are locked in a carriage battle that threatens to blackout
Q. I was watching the game last night and there was a commercial from ESPN saying DIRECTV might drop ESPN. Is that true? If so, when will it happen? And if it does, I’m gone. That’s the last straw! — Quinn, Kansas City. Quinn, you are not alone. Many DIRECTV subscribers are nervous this morning
Q. I read your column on how the Charter subscribers couldn’t get the ACC Network. But I’m having the same problem with DIRECTV. I thought DIRECTV was supposed to carry it, but I can’t find it anywhere in my lineup. What’s up with that? — Franklin, Portland. Franklin, you’re right. Many Charter subscribers are upset
Q. I have Charter Spectrum cable and I read that I was going to get the ACC Network. So last night, I turned it on and what do I see? Nothing! Nothing at all. What the hell?! Why wasn’t it on? — Tulo, Los Angeles. Tulo, you are not alone. A large number of Charter/Spectrum
Q. I am excited about the ACC Network starting tomorrow (today, August 22), but I was wondering if my provider, Comcast, will carry it. And if it’s not, which of the streamers will carry it. Will Netflix? — Sam, Raleigh, North Carolina. Sam, you’re right. The ESPN-owned ACC Network debuts tonight at 7 p.m. ET.
Q. I am very excited about watching the new ACC Network. But I was wondering when it will launch and whether my TV provider, DIRECTV, will carry it? Also, will Sling TV carry it? So, will they? — Marlena, Raleigh, North Carolina. Marlena, as you probably know, the ACC Network will feature live games involving
ESPN today said its new $4.99 a month streaming service will launch April 12, and it will offer hundreds of live MLB, NHL, MLS games as well as thousands of college events. The service, called ESPN+, will be part of a redesigned ESPN app, and available via computers at ESPN.com. See Amazon’s Best-Selling Streaming Devices!
Q. I’m a Comcast video subscriber and I’ve been enjoying watching all kinds of sports on WatchESPN. But I’ve been thinking about getting rid of my video service and going Net only. Could I still watch WatchESPN if I do? — BettyAnn, Deale, Maryland. BettyAnn, WatchESPN is a web site that simulcasts ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU,
ESPN and NBC have announced plans to stream National Football League games on mobile phones, starting with ESPN’s 2017 season playoff coverage. Verizon, which had the exclusive rights to NFL games on mobile phones since 2010, earlier this month signed a new deal with the league that eliminated that unique perk. Shop Now at Amazon!
News Analysis Disney’s purchase today of much of Fox’s assets could make the company the most dominant force in streaming, both live and subscription Video on Demand. The deal, if approved by the feds (and it says here it will be), will give Disney control of Fox’s 22 regional sports channels in addition to the
CBS has decided to cancel the summer dramatic series, Zoo, after three seasons and 39 episodes, The Hollywood Reporter writes. The show, which was based on a James Patterson novel, starred James Wolk (Mad Men) as Jackson Oz, a zoologist who investigates mysterious animal attacks across the globe that ultimately shrink the human population. Click
Disney-owned ESPN is demanding that cable operator Altice, which serves roughly 2.5 million video customers in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, carry the ACC Network and the SEC Network as part of a new carriage agreement now under negotiation. In addition, ESPN wants Altice, formerly known as Cablevision, to include its flagship channel in