did youtube tv drop espn and abc

did youtube tv drop espn and abc

6 hours ago 2
Nature

Short answer: Yes. YouTube TV has been without ESPN and ABC (Disney-owned channels) due to a carriage dispute with Disney, with impact extending through late Oct/early Nov 2025 and coverage around college football, NFL, and other Disney programming. Details and context

  • What happened: Disney and YouTube TV could not finalize a new distribution agreement by the contract deadline, triggering a blackout of Disney-owned channels including ESPN, ABC, FX, National Geographic, Disney Channel, and related ESPN networks on YouTube TV. This blackout began around October 30, 2025, and continued into early November as talks persisted.
  • What viewers missed: With ESPN and ABC unavailable, live sports programming such as Monday Night Football, college football games on ABC/ESPN networks, NBA/NHL games on ESPN and other Disney channels, and a wide slate of Disney-branded programming were not accessible on YouTube TV during the blackout period.
  • Alternatives and potential remedies:
    • Other providers: Some services still carry ESPN/ABC, including other cable/satellite providers (DirectTV, Dish, etc.) and certain streaming platforms (Fubo, Sling TV) with varying game and show access. ESPN also offers its own streaming option, though standalone access may require separate subscriptions.
* Credits/compensation: Some reports indicated YouTube TV may offer credits if the blackout persists, as part of negotiations or service disruptions.
* Election-related requests: There have been public discussions about restoring ABC during critical events (election coverage), though outcomes depend on the ongoing negotiations between Disney and YouTube TV.

What to expect next (as of the latest reporting)

  • The dispute was active through early November 2025, with media coverage highlighting the continued absence of Disney channels from YouTube TV and ongoing negotiations. Viewers seeking updates should check trusted outlets for the latest status, as contracts can re-emerge or be resolved with new terms.

If you’d like, I can pull the most recent update on whether ESPN/ABC have been restored on YouTube TV and summarize the current options for watching specific games or programs right now, including any new credits or temporary access arrangements.

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