If you subscribe to DirecTV, you might need to find another way to watch the NBA Finals.
A dispute between Scripps and DirecTV has led to a blackout of two stations in Detroit: WXYZ-TV (channel 7) and WMYD-TV (channel 20). That means that ABC is currently blacked out for Detroit-area DirecTV customers, making Game 1 of the NBA Finals unavailable through DirectTV’s services. It is not clear how long this dispute will last.
That doesn’t mean DirecTV customers have to ditch their plan to watch the game, however.
Watch NBA Finals on ESPN Unlimited
Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs will air on Wednesday, June 3, at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC, with multiple streaming options available through the ESPN Unlimited app. DirecTV satellite customers get free access to ESPN Unlimited through their subscription (though it is unclear how this dispute will affect tonight’s Game 1), while DirecTV streaming customers can get free access to ESPN Unlimited through two different packages.
And for those who want to ditch DirecTV entirely but still want to watch the game, ABC is still available through other streaming services like Fubo.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re in a DirecTV-sized pickle for the NBA Finals.
NBA Finals Game 1 time
NBA Finals Game 1 channel
Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals will air on ABC, which will be unavailable for Detroit-area DirecTV customers. Instead, the game can be streamed on ESPN Unlimited or Fubo.
NBA Finals Game 1 streaming
For DirecTV customers who are blacked out from ABC for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, streaming options still exist.
Watch Game 1 on Fubo
NBA Finals schedule
*If necessary.
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Where to watch NBA Finals Knicks-Spurs with Detroit DirecTV blackout
Reporting by Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
