When DIRECTV NOW customers try to use ESPN3 they are reporting receiving this error message: (Cord Cutters News can also confirm we have seen this error message when trying to use DIRECTV NOW to watch ESPN3.)
Most live TV streaming services offer ESPN3 if you log in through the ESPN app. (A few, like Sling TV, also offer it through the Sling TV app.) Since launch, DIRECTV NOW has supported ESPN3 but as of about a week ago, Cord Cutters News has confirmed they are no longer supporting ESPN3. When you try to access the channel, you get a message that says your package does not support this channel.
Cord Cutters News reached out to AT&T for comment several times, but as of the time of this posting AT&T has not responded to our request for comment.
Now it is still possible to have DIRECTV NOW and still get ESPN3. Some internet providers include ESPN3 support. So you may automatically be getting ESPN3 from your internet provider. If your internet provider supports ESPN3 it will just work with no need to login. This is a great workaround for some DIRECTV NOW subscribers but not all.
Now according to our readers have been telling Cord Cutters News that both ESPN and DIRECTV NOW chat are saying the issue is a contract issue between the two companies. According to chat agents both ESPN and AT&T are in talks to bring back ESPN3 but as of today, there is no deal in place. Now take this all with a grain of salt as chat agents have been known to give incorrect information but what we do know is ESPN3 has been down for over a week to DIRECTV NOW customers.
As we learn more we will post updates.