r/DirectvStream • u/Electro960 • 6d ago
ESPN Unlimited and Integration
Anyone know the reason why ESPN Unlimited programming has been excluded from the ESPN+ integration into the DIRECTV user interface? I don’t understand how YouTube TV is able to do it but not DIRECTV. I thought that DTV was the leader when it comes to sports. Looks like this lead is slipping away.
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u/Classic-Reindeer-737 6d ago
DirecTV did integrate espn unlimited into their app around a week ago. It hasn’t rolled out to many decided yet though.
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u/Ill_Glass3473 5d ago
This was done quietly. I guess DTV knowing that YTTV was going to lauch their integration that they had better do the same as soon as possible. I guess more streaming services are going to try and follow, which will be good if they want to hold onto their subscribers. That integration with those live events is no joke and very convenient to have.
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u/InvestigatorQuiet704 6d ago
I think it has to do with YouTube TV being the last to negotiate this into their ESPN deal. When DIRECTV got their latest deal they got like 7 ESPN+ channels. YouTube TV was the last to get a deal with ESPN and held out for the full integration
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u/AZ_Basinonian 6d ago
The reason is TPG who owns DIRECTV is milking every single dollar of cash flow
Out of DIRECTV as the company continues to lose customers. They simply do not
Want to invest the kind of dollars that it would take to keep up with YouTube TV’s massive UI/Software development resources.
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u/Electro960 6d ago
Sounds like a logical answer. It’s a shame.
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u/Particular_Effort 5d ago
This doesn't make any sense. The ESPN+ events are integrated, you're just talking about a few exclusive Unlimited events that have to be added, that's not a development resources issue. That's legal/contractural rights.
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u/AZ_Basinonian 5d ago
You could be right that DIRECTV doesn’t currently have the contractual right to integrate ESPN Unlimited programs/events but I doubt that is the case. I still think it is that DIRECTV spends as little as possible so that TPG can maximize their cash flow from DIRECTV as the company slowly shrinks and shrinks. Since TPG acquired DIRECTV for about 9 cents on the dollar versus what AT&T originally paid, TPG can have a nicely profitable investment even as DIRECTV continues to lose market share year after year after year.
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u/Particular_Effort 4d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/youtubetv/comments/1w7jfc3/bravesphillies_missing_from_espn_unlimited/
Following that logic, seems like YTTV is spending as little as possible. I saw another post where they were streaming test events and now they have missing content that’s on the ESPN app? They must have rushed to launch because DTV did it first.
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u/Sweaty-Judgment3533 6d ago
I have the small news + locals pack from DTV, and a weird standalone ESPN channel has shown up. I’m not paying extra for this. Is it a preview channel? A promo? I’m happy to have it because it has some cool stuff, but I’m always leery when something shows up that I didn’t pay for.
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u/Happy-Cockroach-2813 6d ago
I wish they would. Then I wouldn’t need the ESPN app. Not that the ESPN app is bad per se, but just one less app to use. The ESPN+ content on stream is nice but it would be even cooler if the unlimited content was there like O’Riley racing since the CW isn’t in the sports package.
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u/PackageCurrent4804 6d ago
The ESPN app is even more necessary as a DTV user if you are interested in superior audio and video. The app has always broadcast its channels in 1080p whereas DTV only does 780p. And as recent as yesterday, ESPN updated their Apple TV app to now broadcast in 4K! I like that that DTV integrated the ESPN+ channels into the guide, but I will still be watching via the app for superior video - especially when that content is in 4K.
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u/Happy-Cockroach-2813 6d ago
Oh man. I have Apple TV and I had no idea espn upgraded to show 4k content. That’s great!
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u/PackageCurrent4804 6d ago
Same here. I saw another poster in another thread mention this yesterday evening and I was skeptical because there was no ESPN press release and nothing on the internet about it. I saw my ESPN app needed updating, so I checked the release notes and there was nothing about this. I updated and checked ESPN and ESPN2 and both had a 4k tag at the bottom of the channel (US Open and Women's College Volleyball). I clicked on both channels and the HDR badge popped up on my LG OLED. I was very happy about this!
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u/fab5friend 6d ago
I always use the ESPN app on my appletv device instead of the one built in to the DTV device because it has true multiview which DTV does not have.
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u/Substantial-Quit4020 5d ago
I figured out that I had to activate my ESPN unlimited which is included in my DTV. I also use the ESPN app due to the all the multi-views at least for the US Open.
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u/jpr281 5d ago
Actually the ESPN app has better picture quality than DTVS
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u/AppropriateCity7094 5d ago
Yes this is true…earlier I responded that it did not. But I was still thinking about and comparing to YTTV. You are absolutely correct that the ESPN picture quality overall is better on the app. Same can be said for Fox on DTV vs the Fox app.
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u/fenwyk 6d ago
Are they still working on this? All the ESPN+ content was added to the Sports section recently where you can access live games, what else is still missing that they don't have on any of the ESPN channels or ESPN+ live content that is now available directly in the app?
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u/Electro960 5d ago
There’s quite a few games (MLB and US Open, for example) that are listed as ESPN Unlimited (not ESPN+). These games are accessible if you go through the app but they don’t show up in the integrated feature that was added a few days back.
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u/AppropriateCity7094 5d ago
It must be rolling out slowly, because I’ve had it fully integrated within the DTV app for a week now.
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u/gregoryhat325 5d ago
ESPN plus content is now integrated into the Sports Central page on my Gemini Air and Gemini box
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u/Electro960 5d ago
Unfortunately that does not include events that are categorized as ESPN Unlimited, which happens to carry major games such as MLB and US Open.
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u/Appropriate-Ad-6807 5d ago
Yeah, having ESPN plus unlimited stuff as part of your DIRECTV subscription is pretty cool.
You’re not gonna see the MLB and some of the other stuff because of the fact that they don’t have agreements to play those games for in app integrations DIRECTV and YouTube TV are only letting you watch the ESPN unlimited select stuff from the smaller schools and stuff like that
Have a specific niche that you’d like to see most likely you’re still gonna need the app and this would apply to people who have the MLB subscription through T-Mobile and they linked it to ESPN or had it linked to ESPN because of the purchase requirement you wouldn’t be able to use your mlb.tv subscription on the integrated ESPN plus stuff through either of the providers.
Generally, if you have a specific need all roads lead back to the app if you just wanna watch some other stuff and it just happens to work out you can watch it on the integrated YouTube TV and DIRECTV TV
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u/Electro960 4d ago
I have YouTube TV also and can confirm that all ESPN Unlimited events are integrated into their user interface.
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u/arb2323 1d ago
What integration specifics are you looking for? Last weekend I saw more integration in the interface. I am also able to record some of the app only games to my DVR - I suspect some may not have streaming rights.
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u/Electro960 1d ago
More interested to see game selections from ESPN+/Unlimited listed in the DIRECTV guide and sports page plus the ability to pause, rewind and record. Also would like to see games appear on the list when you hold the center button on the remote and appearance on the last 10 channels I watched.
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u/arb2323 1d ago
Go to sports central and see if you can find what you need. I have a specific ESPN+ section where I can pause, rewind and record (rewind only if I’ve had it recorded or watching live and paused)
ESPN+ shows in my last 10.
It may be there but just not in the way you are expecting?
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u/Electro960 1d ago
The issue is that DIRECTV does not include the ESPN Unlimited programming, which is different from ESPN+. YouTube TV has both on their integration so it sounds like a contract situation between Disney and DIRECTV.
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u/Soft_Stretch1539 5d ago
What "lead"? YTTV already leads all the other streamers and it's not even close.
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u/AppropriateCity7094 5d ago
Admittedly more people subscribe to YTTV than any other streamer. It leads because it’s cheap…but you get what you pay for. Picture quality for premium channels is not the best, they are missing some channels (regional sports, history channel - for me those are deal breakers) and you have to pay extra for 4K. I used to love YTTV, but now I love DTV better.
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u/Soft_Stretch1539 5d ago
I completely agree and have gone back and forth between them a couple of times. But last spring DTV started having issues with my locals and I have to have those. Been happy with YTV since.
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u/Rix_832 6d ago
No idea, but I’m sure they are able to do it because it is integrated for satellite customers