Bowl games, more sports blacked out on ABC: How DirecTV customers in Sacramento can watch
The college football bowl season is heating up but many Northern California customers of DirecTV, especially in the Sacramento area, may fumble trying to find sporting events they know are broadcast on ABC10.
It’s all because of the ongoing dispute over carriage fees between KXTV-TV’s parent company Tegna and DirecTV’s former parent company, AT&T. Since Nov. 30, Tegna has withheld the signal of its 66 stations in 52 markets from the satellite system, affecting about 40% of DirecTV’s customers, according to Bloomberg.
The local TV blackout also affects DirecTV Stream and AT&T U-verse customers and that extends to all of ABC10’s viewing area from Yuba City to Stockton and Modesto.
DirecTV representatives previously said Tegna forced the blackout after months of negotiations. They said Tegna, based in Virginia, rejected a DirecTV offer to provide the local broadcast through the rest of the college and NFL football seasons to not disrupt viewers while the two sides finalize a renewal.
Tegna representatives earlier this month said Tegna is committed to reaching fair deals with every pay-TV provider and hopes DirecTV, which is controlled by AT&T, appreciates how important access is to its stations by coming to a fair and market-based agreement.
Despite a nearly $300 monthly bill for ATT/Directv I have bought 3 more APPs to watch games- your lack of desire to get ABC back cost me missing Eagles and 49ers! Break up coming!
— reallyfedup! (@1stusa) December 27, 2023
“Despite months of effort, DirecTV has refused to reach a fair, market-based agreement with Tegna. As a result, DirecTV and AT&T U-Verse customers will lose access to NFL and college football conference championship games, as well as some of the most popular national network programming and top-rated local news,” Tegna said Monday in a statement sent to The Sacramento Bee. “We urge DIRECTV to continue to negotiate with us until a deal is reached that restores our stations to their customers.”Both sides have been quiet ever since.
Frustration will likely abound as it did during Christmas.
Some Channel 10 viewers — just like those in Dallas; Jacksonville; Memphis; Louisville, Kentucky; and Davenport, Iowa, to name a few — got a front-row seat to the dispute when the San Francisco 49ers lost to the Baltimore Ravens on “Monday Night Football.”
Because of the NFL’s strict rules for in-market broadcasts, the game in the Sacramento area wasn’t on ESPN as usually is the case.
DirecTV customers, as many as 5 million nationwide, will have to face the problems again this weekend, as ABC gears up to host several match-ups that will be shown nationwide.
@nflnetwork since the owner of the ABC channel here in the Sacramento area has chosen to withhold their programming on @DIRECTV due to an expiring contract - PLEASE Replay the @NFL game between the 49ers and the Ravens later tonite or over the next few days.
— Scott Carlberg (@werksracer) December 25, 2023
What games are blacked out?
On Saturday, ABC will show two gridiron games: Auburn vs. Maryland in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl: at 11 a.m. and the NFL showdown between the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys at 5 p.m.
On Sunday, ABC will air the 135th Tournament of Roses Parade from Pasadena beginning at 8 a.m. followed by the 10 a.m. college football game between Iowa vs. Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl.
On Wednesday, ABC will feature an NBA showdown between the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks at 5:30 p.m.
It’s worth noting that there is no “Monday Night Football” game scheduled next week.
Where else can you watch?
NFL+ streams the game live if you have a subscription, which starts at $6.99 per month. There is a seven-day free trial if you don’t have the app.
You can watch on Hulu, Disney+ or YouTube with an account that has a live games add-on.
The games will also be broadcast as normal on Comcast, Consolidated Communications (Surewest), Wave and other cable systems in the greater Sacramento area. DishTV customers are also unaffected.
The signal is also available over the air using a digital TV box or compatible television — just point your antenna toward KXTV’s Walnut Grove transmitter. For most Sacramento-area viewers that’s to the south-southeast. The FCC provides good details on how to finely tune those rabbit ears where you are.
Where can you go?
The Sacramento Bee called Wednesday afternoon to confirm details, but be sure to check hours before heading out.
Public House Downtown (1132 16th St.): The ale house and restaurant will play the games. It opens at 9:30 am.
Barwest (2724 J St.): The midtown Sacramento sports bar, which has a 17-foot big screen TV, will show the games. It opens at 10 a.m. and will be serving its regular menu.
Fieldhouse American Sports Pub (1310 Fulton Ave., Suite D): The Arden Arcade sports bar will be showing the all games on its 18 TVs and a projector. It opens at 9:30 a.m.
Mandango’s Sports Bar & Grill (106 N Sunrise Ave, Roseville): This Roseville sports bar specializing in pub bites and pizza will have the games on its TVs. It opens at 11 a.m.
Folsom Tap House Sports Bar & Grill (25005 Blue Ravine Rd #140, Folsom): The Folsom Tap House will carry all NFL and college football games this weekend. It opens at 9 a.m.
Buffalo Wild Wings (2023 Arden Way, Arden Arcade): The chain has access to other platforms that show NFL and college football games.
