Why is Tennessee-Oklahoma not on YouTube TV? Explaining Disney contract dispute and other options to watch

Morgan Moriarty

Why is Tennessee-Oklahoma not on YouTube TV? Explaining Disney contract dispute and other options to watch image

The No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers host the No. 18 Oklahoma Sooners Saturday night at Neyland Stadium, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

Tennessee enters as a slight three-point favorite. For YouTube TV subscribers, the game won’t be available.

The blackout is due to Disney-owned channels being unavailable on YouTube TV, a situation affecting subscribers since Friday, Oct. 31.

Here’s the latest on why the Saturday night SEC matchup is blacked out for YouTube TV.

MORE: Live updates on ESPN's dispute with YouTube TV

Why is Tennessee-Oklahoma not on YouTube TV?  

Saturday night’s game will air live on ABC, which typically carries most of the week’s top SEC matchups. But this week, all Disney-owned channels—including ABC and ESPN—are blacked out for YouTube TV subscribers.

The contract between Disney and YouTube TV expired Thursday evening, and with no agreement reached, the blackout began at midnight Friday.

Tennessee vs. Oklahoma kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET, following the noon game between Texas and Vanderbilt and the 3:30 p.m. Florida-Georgia game. YouTube TV subscribers will need to find an alternative way to watch.

MORE: Ranking Nick Saban's best fits for a 2026 return

ESPN and YouTube TV dispute updates

ESPN's blackout on YouTube TV started on Friday, October 31. Both sides released statements shortly thereafter. It appears that rights fees are the main point of contention. 

MORE: Projecting Week 10's College Football Playoff field

How to watch Tennessee-Oklahoma without YouTube TV

For YouTube TV customers who want to watch college football on ABC and ESPN amid the dispute, there are several other options. However, YouTube TV is offering a $20 credit for its customers if this blackout lasts for an "extended period of time."

Fubo, specifically, carries all ESPN channels and offers a free trial for new users, while Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV are all options. Additionally, for customers who want to go directly to the source, ESPN recently released their all-inclusive app that will have Tennessee vs. Oklahoma

Streaming OptionCostFree Trial?
Fubo$84.99/monthYes
Sling TV$60.99/monthYes
Hulu + Live TV$64.99/monthYes
DirecTV$49.99/monthYes
ESPN+$29.99/monthNo

MORE: List of college football games impacted by ESPN-YouTube TV dispute

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