Why is LSU vs. Alabama not on YouTube TV? Explaining Disney contract dispute and other options to watch

The LSU–Alabama rivalry is one of the best in the SEC. The two storied programs will face off once again on Saturday night at Bryant–Denny Stadium, with the Tide hoping to win a third straight over the Tigers.

Saturday night's game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET and air on ABC. Unfortunately for customers who access cable television through YouTube TV, the game will be blacked out due to the ongoing carriage dispute between YouTube TV and Disney, which owns the broadcast rights to both ABC and ESPN.

The networks have been blacked out since last Friday, Oct. 31. Here’s the latest on the YouTube TV–Disney dispute, as well as how fans can watch LSU–Alabama on Saturday night.

MORE: How to watch CFB Week 11 games without YouTube TV

Why is LSU vs. Alabama not on YouTube TV? 

The game between Alabama and LSU is set to air on ABC at 7:30 p.m., but YouTube TV customers will not be able to watch it on Saturday. The contract between Disney and YouTube TV expired last Thursday, and the two sides have still not been able to reach a new agreement.

Customers were without access to last week's college football slate of games, including Texas-Vanderbilt, Florida-Georgia and Oklahoma-Tennessee. Fans even missed Monday Night Football between the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals as the dispute entered its second week. 

The two sides appear far apart heading into a second weekend of college football games. As a result, YouTube TV subscribers will be blacked out from all ABC and ESPN networks for the second week in a row. YouTube TV customers will need to find an alternative way to watch.

MORE: YouTube TV vs. ESPN dispute updates

YouTube TV vs. ESPN dispute

Both parties continued to work for a resolution, but no agreement was put in place as of Friday afternoon. With a major slate ahead, ESPN has notified viewers on how to "not miss" the action.

YouTube TV customers: The days ahead will bring more can’t miss action

Go to https://t.co/G7O04cG6gA to get ESPN back! Pic.twitter.com/9COPJdgdMo

— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) November 5, 2025

ESPN and ABC have major football games on the platforms, starting with No. 7 BYU vs. No. 8 Texas Tech on ABC. Later in the day, the platform will air undefeated Texas A&M vs. No. 22 Missouri, followed by LSU-Alabama.

Still, that might not be enough to curb negotiations. Per The Athletic's sports business editor, Dan Shanoff, it might be ESPN's "Monday Night Football," which has the Green Bay Packers facing the Philadelphia Eagles.

Last Friday, ESPN's blackout on YouTube TV formally started. 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. YouTube TV has pledged to offer a $20 credit to customers affected for an extended period of time. 

MORE: Why are YouTube TV-ESPN in a contract dispute?

How to watch ESPN without YouTube TV 

With ESPN and YouTube TV still in stalemate, millions are looking for new ways to watch their favorite channels.

Customers looking for alternate ways to watch ESPN can find it through a number of alternate streaming platforms, including Fubo, which offers new subscribers a free trial.