DirecTV Stream is a well-known live TV streaming service, previously known as AT&T TV. It provides a lot of choices in terms of networks and stations, particularly the regional sports networks (RSNs). However, one RSN it does not currently carry is Spectrum SportsNet, which is the TV home of the LA Lakers. In this article, it will discuss whether DirecTV Stream provides Spectrum SportsNet and possible ways for the fans of the Lakers to watch the games.
What Packages or Services Does DirecTV Stream Provide?
DirecV Stream offers more than 140 channels with the basic packages. The packages being offered are Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, and Premier and there are more channels with each option. Customers can then enhance these conventional bundling plans with standalone network options.
In total, DirecTV Stream provides viewership to channels from the likes of ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC, as well as cable networks including ESPN, FS1, TNT, USA, and many others. However, the availability of channel differs from place to place.
Is Spectrum SportsNet available on DirecTV Stream?
Currently, DirecTV Stream has no Spectrum SportsNet or Spectrum SportsNet LA as of February 2023. At the moment, both RSNs are not supported on the service.
Spectrum SportsNet is the television partner for the LA Lakers, the LA Sparks, and the LA Galaxy. Therefore, Lakers fans who wish to watch their favorite games on DirecTV are unable to access match broadcasts currently.
You could also ask yourself the following: why doesn’t DirecTV Stream include Spectrum SportsNet in its channel line-up?
The reason behind this channel exclusion is associated with the lingering carriage issue between DirecTV parent company AT&T and Spectrum SportsNet. Negotiations have been paralyzed concerning affiliate fees that Spectrum demands that providers pay to transmit its RSNs.
This is similar to other litigations Charter Communications which is the parent company of Spectrum had with other streamers such as FuboTV and Hulu. The consequence is that Spectrum SportsNet is unavailable not only y on DirecTV Stream but on most of the streaming services.
What are the streaming platforms available for Lakers games?
For LA fans who are set on watching Lakers games without having Spectrum SportsNet on DirecTV Stream, the streaming options are limited. At the moment, there is only one primary competitor, which is the NBA League Pass. But blackout rules still persist within the LA market.
Another option is Netsfans. tv which hosts all kinds of links to providing fans with illegal streams of the NBA games. However, quality and reliability depend on such unauthorized platforms. Other fans have also had to use VPN, which stands for virtual private network, to trick the system into believing they are in a different state to avoid blackouts. However, VPN usage would be considered a breach of the NBA League Pass agreement.
For now, the local Lakers fans still need the conventional Pay-TV subscription to access the full games. Companies such as DIRECTV, Verizon FIOS, Frontier, and Champion Broadband are some of the providers that incorporate Spectrum RSNs in their packages.
When can Spectrum SportsNet return to DirecTV?
Unfortunately, AT&T and Charter are still without an agreement in their programming disagreement and no agreement is expected shortly. That means Spectrum will remain missing from DirecTV Stream indefinitely going forward into the future.
Of course, should the distributors reach a compromise, DIRECTV Stream would probably not mind the addition. Besides,adding the channel would be convenient for the subscribers based in Los Angeles who would want to stream Lakers games.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as of now, DirecTV Stream does not cover live Lakers game broadcasts and Spectrum SportsNet is still missing. LA fans wanting to watch matches live must look at NBA League Pass with VPN/location spoofing or specific traditional TV providers with the RSN. Unfortunately, AT&T and Charter are still in talks, so there is not much hope Spectrum returns to DirecTV Stream soon. Thus, local supporters with streaming preferences may have to explore other platforms or may have to reconsider cutting the cord.
