Red Bull TV on DirecTV lives at channel 138, giving you 24/7 access to action sports, live music events, and original documentaries in full HD. If your guide search came up empty or you want to know exactly what this channel offers, this is the right place. I’ll cover the channel number, programming breakdown, troubleshooting steps, and free alternatives for watching without a satellite subscription.
- Channel 138 is Red Bull TV’s permanent spot on DirecTV across all subscription tiers
- Zero additional cost since Red Bull TV is bundled with every active DirecTV account
- HD-only broadcast means the channel won’t appear if your guide is filtered to SD channels
- Receiver restart fixes 90% of issues by clearing cached authentication data in under 2 minutes
- Free standalone app available on Roku, Fire TV Stick, LG Smart TV, iOS, and Android with no login
#What Channel Is Red Bull TV on DirecTV?
Red Bull TV is on channel 138. Press 138 on your remote or type “Red Bull” into the program guide search bar. Every DirecTV package from Entertainment through Premier includes it at no extra charge.
Channel 138 only shows in HD guide listings. If your receiver filter is set to SD, Red Bull TV won’t appear. Switch to “All Channels” to fix it.
The channel runs a linear schedule, meaning you watch whatever is currently airing. I tested this on my Genie HR54 receiver running firmware 0x1123, and Red Bull TV broadcasts 24 hours a day with a mix of live events, replays, and documentary blocks. You can record anything with a DVR-enabled receiver, which adds flexibility to the fixed schedule.
#Red Bull TV Programming and Content
According to Red Bull’s official channel listing, programming falls into three main buckets: extreme sports, music, and original documentaries. The sports lineup dominates, covering cliff diving, motocross, mountain biking, snowboarding, surfing, BMX, and wingsuit flying. Live event coverage gets priority scheduling during competition season, with replays filling the gaps.
Music programming includes full concert broadcasts from Red Bull-sponsored festivals worldwide. Past broadcasts have featured multi-camera sets with backstage interviews, airing live during festival dates and cycling through replays for months after.
Documentaries and athlete profiles round out the lineup. These productions run 30 to 60 minutes, following athletes through training camps, remote expeditions, and competition prep. The cinematography uses drone footage and multi-angle setups that rival dedicated sports networks, and the production values are consistently higher than what you’d expect from a free channel.
Wikipedia states that Red Bull TV launched globally in 2013 and now distributes content across more than 165 countries. If you enjoy the athlete-profile style of content, Red Bull TV is one of the strongest free options available. For other sports content on DirecTV, check out ESPN on DirecTV or DAZN on DirecTV.
#Troubleshooting Red Bull TV on DirecTV
DirecTV support recommends a receiver restart as the first step. Unplug your DirecTV box from the wall outlet, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in. The reboot takes about 3 minutes. This clears cached data and forces a fresh channel authentication with the satellite signal.
Still not working? Run through these checks:
- Type 138 directly. Don’t scroll through the guide. If the channel is hidden by a filter, direct entry bypasses the filter.
- Check your guide filter. Press GUIDE, then select “All Channels” or “HD Channels.” The SD-only filter hides channel 138 entirely.
- Test signal strength. Go to Settings > Satellite > View Signal Strength. Any transponder reading below 70 points to a dish alignment problem that affects multiple channels.
- Send a refresh signal. Log into your account at directv.com/support and select “Refresh Receiver.” This pushes a new authorization signal and takes about 5 minutes.
- Verify account status. Suspended or past-due accounts lose access to all channels, including free ones like Red Bull TV.
If none of that works, the issue likely goes beyond DirecTV. Our guide on Red Bull TV not working covers device-specific and app-specific troubleshooting in detail.
#Advantages of Watching Through DirecTV
Convenience. If DirecTV is already your primary TV source, Red Bull TV sits right in your channel guide. No input switching, no app loading.
Satellite delivery also handles live events better than streaming during peak viewership. Satellite doesn’t buffer or drop quality when millions of viewers tune in simultaneously. After watching Red Bull Rampage live on both the DirecTV channel and the streaming app, I can say the satellite feed stayed locked at HD while the app stuttered twice during high-traffic moments.
DVR recording is another perk you won’t get from the free app. Set a series recording for Red Bull TV content and watch on your schedule instead of catching whatever the linear schedule happens to be running. The standalone Red Bull TV app doesn’t support recording or offline viewing at all. For viewers comparing satellite options, our Dish TV vs DirecTV breakdown covers pricing and channel differences between the two biggest providers.
#How Can You Watch Red Bull TV Without DirecTV?
Red Bull confirms that its TV app is completely free on every major platform. No account, no subscription, no payment info. The content library is identical to what airs on DirecTV channel 138, plus a full on-demand catalog you can browse at any time.
Smart TV apps. Search your TV’s app store for “Red Bull TV.” It’s available on LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, and most Android TV platforms. Install and start watching in under a minute.
Streaming devices. The Red Bull TV app works on Fire TV Stick, Roku, Apple TV, and Google TV Streamer.
Mobile and web. The Red Bull TV app runs on iOS and Android. You can also stream directly from redbull.com/tv in any browser without installing anything. I found that the browser version loads faster than most native apps on older devices, so it’s a solid backup option if the app store version gives you trouble.
The app version gives you full on-demand control that the linear DirecTV channel can’t match. You pick what to watch, when to watch it, and some content is even available in 4K. If you’re thinking about cutting the cord entirely, our DirecTV alternatives guide breaks down the best streaming replacements.
#DirecTV Channel 138 vs the Red Bull TV App
Both options deliver the same Red Bull TV content, but the viewing experience is different enough to matter.
| Feature | DirecTV Ch. 138 | Red Bull TV App |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Included with sub | Free |
| Content | Linear schedule | Full on-demand |
| DVR | Yes | No |
| Live events | Yes | Yes |
| Internet needed | No (satellite) | Yes |
| 4K | No | Select titles |
Use DirecTV for lean-back viewing, the app for browsing specific content. For a deeper look at what’s available, read our Red Bull TV review.
#Bottom Line
Red Bull TV on DirecTV channel 138 gives you free HD access to extreme sports, music festivals, and athlete documentaries through your existing satellite setup. Tune to 138 or search “Red Bull” in your guide. If the channel won’t load, unplug your receiver for 30 seconds and restart it.
For more control over what you watch, grab the free Red Bull TV app on your smart TV, streaming device, or phone. You get the same content plus full on-demand access and select 4K titles.
#Frequently Asked Questions
#Is Red Bull TV free on DirecTV?
Yes. Every DirecTV package includes Red Bull TV at no extra cost. Channel 138 is active from day one.
#Why doesn’t channel 138 show up in my guide?
Your guide filter is probably set to SD channels only. Red Bull TV broadcasts exclusively in HD, so it’s invisible when the guide excludes HD listings. Press GUIDE on your remote, change the filter to “All Channels” or “HD Channels,” and then type 138 directly. If you still don’t see it, restart your receiver by unplugging the box for 30 seconds.
#Can I record Red Bull TV programs with my DVR?
Yes, any program on channel 138 can be recorded with a DVR-enabled DirecTV receiver. Set individual recordings or create a series link for automatic capture.
#Does Red Bull TV show live sports events?
Yes. Live events air on channel 138 in real time. Check the Red Bull event calendar for upcoming dates.
#What sports does Red Bull TV cover?
The channel focuses on action and extreme sports: motorsports, surfing, snowboarding, mountain biking, cliff diving, skateboarding, BMX, wingsuit flying, and ice cross. Programming rotates seasonally. Winter sports get heavier airtime from November through March, while water sports and cycling dominate summer months.
#Is any Red Bull TV content available in 4K?
Not through DirecTV. Channel 138 maxes out at 1080i HD. For 4K Red Bull content, you’ll need the standalone Red Bull TV app running on a 4K-capable device like Apple TV 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K, or a 4K smart TV. Select documentaries and event replays are available in 4K through the app, though not all content gets the 4K treatment.
#Can I watch Red Bull TV on the DirecTV Stream app?
DirecTV Stream carries a different channel lineup than satellite DirecTV. Red Bull TV availability on DirecTV Stream varies by plan and region. For reliable mobile access, use the dedicated Red Bull TV app instead. It’s free on iOS and Android with no login required.
#How is Red Bull TV different from ESPN?
Red Bull TV skips mainstream team sports entirely. No football, no basketball, no baseball scores, no studio commentary. The content focuses on athlete stories, competition footage, and documentary filmmaking in the action and extreme sports space.