You’re not alone—ESPN and other Disney-owned channels have been unavailable on YouTube TV due to a carriage dispute, with contract negotiations between Google (YouTube TV) and Disney failing to reach an agreement before the current terms expired. This has led to ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and other Disney networks being removed from the YouTube TV lineup for the duration of the dispute.
Here’s what’s going on and what you can do: Context and reason
- The core issue is a disagreement over pricing and terms for distributing Disney-owned channels on YouTube TV. YouTube TV contends that Disney is seeking higher carriage fees, while Disney argues that the terms should reflect the value of its content. This has resulted in Disney channels being pulled from the service.
- The blackout affects live sports events typically carried by ESPN networks, including college football, NFL/NBA games, and related programming, leading to a disruption of the weekend viewing slate for many subscribers.
What to watch for and potential workarounds
- Check official channels for updates: YouTube TV and Disney typically post status updates when negotiations progress or a deal is reached. When Disney channels return, they’ll reappear on the guide and in your library.
- Alternative ways to view ESPN content temporarily:
- Other streaming services that carry ESPN networks in their live lineups (these vary by region and may require a separate subscription).
- ESPN’s own digital options (ESPN app) for games and programming that are not tied to YouTube TV, though access may depend on your TV provider or an ESPN+ subscription for certain content.
* On-demand and highlight options on ESPN’s website or app, which can supplement live viewing if availability changes.
ESPN+ distinction
- ESPN+ is a separate streaming service that provides different content from the ESPN linear networks. It is not included with a standard ESPN channel bundle on YouTube TV, and many tutorials stress that ESPN+ must be subscribed to separately. If you rely heavily on ESPN+ exclusive content, you’ll need to manage that separately from any ESPN channel access.
What this means for planning
- If you’re primarily watching college football and other live sports on ESPN networks, expect interruptions until a new agreement is reached. This could last days to weeks, depending on the negotiation dynamics.
- If a deal is reached, YouTube TV will restore ESPN and other Disney channels, and recordings in your library should regain access. If not, fans may need to explore temporary alternatives or credit offers from YouTube TV or Disney for the outage.
Direct answer
- YouTube TV does not currently carry ESPN because Disney and Google could not finalize a new distribution agreement before the prior contract expired. The result is a temporary removal of ESPN and other Disney networks from YouTube TV while negotiations continue or until a new deal is reached. If you want ESPN content during the blackout, you’ll need to explore alternative streaming services that carry ESPN, or access ESPN via ESPN+ and other Disney platforms where available.
