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YouTube TV vs. ESPN dispute updates: Latest news and other options to watch Week 11 college football games

Jake Mozarsky

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YouTube TV vs. ESPN dispute updates: Latest news and other options to watch Week 11 college football games image

The high-stakes contract dispute between YouTube TV and Disney has left millions of subscribers without access to ESPN and ABC, throwing a massive wrench into Week 11 of the college football season. Though on Friday the parties "remain far apart" in their negotiations, on Saturday, it was reported the sides are negotiating.

With crucial matchups set to air on the blacked-out Disney-owned channels, the ongoing stalemate over carriage fees means roughly 10 million YouTube TV customers will be forced to scramble for alternative viewing options -- or potentially miss key games altogether. This dramatic fallout affects not just national broadcasts on ESPN and ABC, but also conference-specific games on the SEC Network and ACC Network, highlighting the growing tension between major media companies and streaming providers, with the passionate college football fan base caught squarely in the middle.

The blackout became official in Week 10, when ESPN’s “College GameDay” and marquee games on the channels were not available to YouTube TV subscribers. With more huge games on the slate this weekend, many viewers are left scrambling.

Here are the latest updates as the two parties continue to negotiate.

MORE: Three best YouTube TV alternatives to stream college football games

YouTube TV vs. ESPN dispute updates

Saturday, Nov. 8

Another college football Saturday is going by without YouTube TV and ESPN having an agreement. Key games, such as No. 7 BYU vs. No. 8 Texas Tech and LSU vs. No. 4 Alabama, have or will be blacked out.

Though, according to NBC's Mike Florio, the two parties are negotiating today to restore ESPN to YouTube TV.

According to the Athletic's Andrew Marchand, YouTube TV will offer its subscribers the $20 credit if no deal is reached by Sunday.

Friday, Nov. 7

According to The Athletic's Andrew Marchand, YouTube TV and ESPN "remain far apart in negotiations."

Marchand said "Three of Disney’s top executives distributed a memo to employees Friday laying out the company’s perspective on ESPN’s standoff with YouTube TV over distribution rights, in a signal the network remains pessimistic about a resolution."

The memo was signed by Disney Entertainment co-chairmen Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, along with ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro.

The Athletic surveyed more than 8,000 fans for their thoughts on the ongoing stalemate, and 60% of YouTube TV subscribers are considering switching services. But, this does not mean YouTube TV is the main party at fault.

In Marchand's article, the memo said:

"We realize this has been a challenging week, with everyone asking the same question as millions of YouTube TV subscribers during the busiest time of the year in sports: When will ESPN and ABC be back on the service?"

YouTube TV responded to the ESPN memo:

“Once again, Disney is resorting to their old tactics like leaking documents to the press, negotiating in public through their paid talent and misrepresenting the facts including from the deals they’ve offered and taking credit for our product proposals. Our team stands ready to make a fair agreement in line with their deals with other distributors and we encourage Disney to come to the table and do what's best for our mutual customers.”

It looks like ESPN channels will be blacked out again for a jam-packed college football slate on Saturday. But, people can tune into the ESPN app to watch "College GameDay" for free.

Thursday, Nov. 6

Both parties continue to work for a resolution, but no agreement is in place. With a major slate ahead, ESPN has notified viewers on how to "not miss" the action.

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 one of the biggest rivalries in college football, LSU vs. No. 4 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. Shanoff had the following to say:

"But advance a day or two further [after college football], and you run into another episode of “Monday Night Football,” and it’s a way better game than last week’s Cowboys-Cardinals dud. Eagles at Packers is arguably the best Monday night matchup of the season so far. It’s the Packers’ only MNF appearance and Philly’s first (of only two total).

"So I guess that’s all to say: Can the Eagles and the Packers be the force that gets the sides to come to a deal and get 10 million YouTube TV subscribers in front of that game?"

MORE: SEC on ABC viewership reportedly down big amid YouTube dispute

When will YouTube TV get ESPN back?

There is still no set time for when YouTube TV will get ESPN back on its platform. The Athletic's Andrew Marchand said that the two parties already went through a blackout during college football and "Monday Night Football," so "it’s not inconceivable that they could blow through another."

For the millions wondering when an agreement will come, he said the following:

"Someone will back down. It is more “when” than “if.” They both should be motivated to do a deal. They need each other. ESPN has the best portfolio of sports rights in the game. If YouTube TV’s success relies, in part, on live sports, it needs to have ESPN and ABC."

MORE: Where is ‘College GameDay’ this week?

Is ESPN on YouTube TV?

Due to the ongoing contract dispute, ESPN and all other Disney-owned channels are not currently available on YouTube TV.

Disney-owned networks, including ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, SEC Network, ACC Network, FX, and others, were pulled from the YouTube TV platform on Thursday, October 30, 2025, after the existing carriage agreement expired without a new deal in place.

Subscribers have lost access to all Disney-owned channels, including live broadcasts and any previously recorded content from those networks in their library.

MORE: Initial College Football Playoff rankings 

Is ABC on YouTube TV?

Similar to ESPN, ABC is not available on YouTube TV.

The network — which frequently serves as the home for marquee college football matchups on Saturdays — was not available for YouTube TV subscribers in Week 10, and as of right now, it is still not.

College football games on Disney channels this week

There are some high-profile college football games on Disney channels for Week 11, starting with No. 7 BYU vs No. 8 Texas Tech at noon. A few of the other games include:

  • No. 5 Georgia vs. Mississippi State
  • No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 22 Missouri
  • Syracuse vs. No. 18 Miami
  • Wake Forest vs. No. 14 Virginia
  • California vs. No. 15 Louisville
  • LSU vs. No. 4 Alabama

Looking ahead, ESPN and ABC carry the two biggest games for Week 12 in Oklahoma vs. Alabama and Texas vs. Georgia.

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.

Streaming OptionCable subscription needed?Free?CostFree Trial
Hulu + Live TVNoNo$82.99/monthYes
Sling TV*NoNo$45.99/monthYes
FuboNoNo$54.99/monthYes

Contributing Writer