You’re likely running into a Disney–YouTube TV blackout. Here’s what’s happening and what you can do. What’s going on
- Disney channels including ABC and ESPN are temporarily unavailable on YouTube TV due to a carriage dispute between Google (YouTube TV) and Disney. This has affected millions of subscribers and left ABC, ESPN, and related networks dark on the service for days/weeks depending on the progress of talks. This situation also impacts sports programming and ABC News coverage during prime viewing windows.
Why this matters for ABC on YouTube TV
- If you typically watch ABC programming (including local ABC stations via YouTube TV), you’ll see those channels missing until a new distribution agreement is reached. Live sports on ESPN/ABC and major news coverage may be disrupted during this period.
What you can do now
- Check for updates from both sides: Disney and Google often issue statements about progress or proposed interim measures (like temporary restorations or credits).
- Consider temporary alternatives:
- Use an over-the-air antenna to receive your local ABC station in your area if you want live ABC broadcasts, especially for local news and events. This won’t bring ESPN or other Disney-owned networks, though.
* Switch to another live TV service that still carries Disney channels during the dispute, if available in your region. Some providers may offer a temporary solution while negotiations continue.
* Look for direct-to-consumer options (Disney-owned apps or other streaming services) for ABC/ESPN content, if you’re open to alternative platforms during the blackout.
Potential impacts to expect
- If the blackout persists, expect continued missing access to ABC and ESPN on YouTube TV, possible credits or refunds depending on policy, and ongoing negotiations that could extend the duration of the outage. Watch for official statements about any account credits or service adjustments.
Bottom line
- ABC on YouTube TV isn’t available right now due to a dispute between Disney and YouTube TV. You can watch via an antenna for ABC, explore another streaming service, or wait for a resolution and possible credits from Google.
