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JUMP TO:
- Latest news on YouTube TV-Disney dispute
- Is NFL 'Monday Night Football' on YouTube TV?
- How to watch ESPN without YouTube TV
- List of NCAA football games impacted by dispute
YouTube TV drew the ire of three major carriers in as many months, jousting with Fox, NBC and TelevisaUnivision in high-profile disputes.
On Thursday, Oct. 30, the Google-owned streamer added a fourth entity to its hit list. YouTube TV is entangled in a squabble with ESPN and its parent company, Disney. The feud comes amid a contract stalemate, and the current deal between the two parties expired at the end of the day without a resolution.
YouTube TV and Disney's quarrel largely revolves around carriage fees -- the costs incurred by YouTube TV to carry Disney programs. In a statement, YouTube TV claimed that Disney's pursuit of profits threatens to result in higher prices for YouTube TV customers.
“Disney is proposing costly economic terms that would raise prices for YouTube TV customers and give our customers fewer choices, while benefitting Disney’s own live TV products,” YouTube TV said.
Disney fired back, accusing YouTube TV of "exploiting its position at the expense of its customers."
“We invest significantly in our content, and expect our partners to pay fair rates that recognize that value," Disney said. "If we don’t reach a fair deal soon, YouTube TV customers will lose access to ESPN and ABC, and all our marquee programming -- including the NFL, college football, NBA, and NHL seasons -- and so much more.”
Structural issues are also believed to play a role. It's unclear how YouTube TV would interact with Disney's Hulu. Here's the latest on the falling-out that threatens to limit sports fans' access to NFL, college football, and other broadcasts in the coming few weeks.
MORE: Explaining YouTube TV-ESPN contract dispute
YouTube TV and ESPN dispute updates
Monday, Nov. 3
AFTERNOON UPDATE: While ESPN and YouTube TV's stalemate stretches into its fourth day, Disney said it is granting YouTube TV subscribers access to ABC during Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 4).
“Despite the impasse that led to the current blackout, we have asked YouTube TV to restore ABC for Election Day so subscribers have access to the information they rely on," a Disney spokesperson told The Sporting News. "We believe in putting the public interest first and hope YouTube TV will take this small step for their customers while we continue to work toward a fair agreement.”
MORNING UPDATE: ESPN's slate of college football contests was blacked out on YouTube TV. At present, the network's "Monday Night Football" broadcast between the Cowboys and the Cardinals is set to suffer a similar fate.
There's reason to believe the stand-off could come to a close. While there still appears to be distance between the two sides on an agreement, the prospect of YouTube TV — and its 10 million subscribers — missing out on an NFL contest is stunning. If such a possibility were to come to fruition, it would represent unchartered territory in the sports broadcasting world.
Saturday, Nov. 1
EVENING UPDATE: ESPN channels have been blacked out on YouTube TV, leaving subscribers scrambling to find a way to watch. Notable games affected today included No. 9 Vanderbilt vs. No. 20 Texas, No. 5 Georgia vs. Florida, South Carolina vs. No. 7 Ole Miss, and No. 18 Oklahoma vs. No. 14 Tennessee.
College GameDay was also unavailable on YouTube TV. Throughout the day, ESPN personalities encouraged fans to use the ESPN app, knowing YouTube TV customers were looking for a way to catch the college football action.
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) November 1, 2025Disney's dispute with YouTube TV appears to be headed toward having a major impact on Saturday's college football viewing after no deal was reached on Friday. Viewers will notice the blackout immediately when ESPN's 'College GameDay' airs at 9 a.m. ET and as many as 25 games won't be available on YouTube TV.
YouTube TV customers: go to https://t.co/thEUtGNysz now to get ESPN back so you can watch College GameDay and all of this weekend's CFB matchups on ESPN and ABC. pic.twitter.com/hsRUFmMgfT
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 1, 2025MORE YOUTUBE TV NEWS:
- See our guide to other streaming options for Saturday's games
- Full schedule of NCAA games impacted by YouTube TV dispute
Friday, Oct. 31
ESPN's blackout on YouTube TV formally started on Friday. At present, that means YouTube TV subscribers are slated to miss out on 25 college football matchups set to take place during the weekend.
ESPN PR took to X to let YouTube TV users know just how many events they were set to miss out on.
Disney created a website to allow fans to express outrage over the dispute. The website urges YouTube TV subscribers to let their voices be heard and contact YouTube TV, be that by email or through various social media channels.
Thursday, Oct. 30
YouTube TV's relationship with ESPN -- and its parent company, Disney -- appears to be coming apart at the seams. The streaming platform's contract with the mass media superpower comes to an end on Thursday at midnight. An agreement on a revised deal has yet to be reached, with YouTube TV vowing to offer subscribers a $20 credit if ESPN and other Disney channels are dropped.
YouTube TV and Disney's coverage contract expires at midnight ET tonight.
ESPN content could become unavailable on YouTube TV, and both sides are running consumer alerts about the potential loss of those channels on the service.
MORE: NFL trade deadline predictions for Breece Hall, Jakobi Meyers, more
The parties failed to reach an agreement by midnight. YouTube TV subscribers will not have access to ESPN effective Friday, Oct. 31.
Statement regarding Google’s YouTube TV pic.twitter.com/qev5AQGewS
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) October 31, 2025Disney's channels were pulled shortly before midnight on Thursday, Oct. 30.
Why is ABC not on YouTube TV?
ABC is not on YouTube TV because Google and Disney failed to reach an agreement on a new deal. Per ESPNPR, Google's YouTube TV is "refusing to pay fair rates for our channels," which includes ABC.
Why is ESPN not on YouTube TV?
ESPN is not on YouTube TV because Google and Disney failed to reach an agreement on a new deal. Per ESPNPR, Google's YouTube TV is "refusing to pay fair rates for our channels," which includes ESPN.
How to watch ESPN without YouTube TV
YouTube TV has nearly 10 million subscribers, meaning many viewers across the country could be searching for alternatives if a deal isn’t reached.
ESPN is available through a number of different alternate streaming platforms, including Fubo, which offers prospective subscribers a free trial.
| Streaming Option | Cable subscription needed? | Free? | Cost | Free Trial |
| Hulu + Live TV | No | No | $82.99/month | Yes |
| Sling TV* | No | No | $45.99/month | Yes |
| Fubo | No | No | $54.99/month | Yes |
How to watch Monday Night Football without YouTube TV
If this dispute lasts until Monday night, that means the Monday Night Football matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals will not be available for YouTube TV customers. Therefore, many people may pe looking for another way to watch the game.
Among the options is Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users, along with Hulu + Live TV or Sling TV. Additionally, customers can also buy ESPN Unlimited, the company's new service that offers all of its networks in one place.
When could YouTube TV subscribers lose ESPN?
YouTube TV subscribers lost ESPN on Thursday night because no deal was struck between Google and Disney.
A deal has not been reached, and YouTube TV will offer subscribers a $20 credit if the pause drags out.
Which Disney channels were pulled from YouTube TV?
In addition to ESPN and ABC, Disney pulled more than a dozen channels from YouTube TV's package on Thursday night.
Here's the list in full:
- ABC
- ABC News Live
- ACC Network
- Disney Channel
- Disney Junior
- Disney XD
- ESPN
- ESPNews
- ESPN2
- ESPNU
- Freeform
- FX
- FXM
- FXX
- Localish
- Nat Geo
- Nat Geo Wild
- SEC Network
- ESPN Deportes
- Baby TV Español
- Nat Geo Mundo
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