It has now been over two weeks that YouTube TV and Disney have been locked in a high-profile dispute, leaving viewers struggling to find some of their favorite content — including sports.
On Thursday, Oct. 30, YouTube TV’s disagreement with ESPN and its parent company, Disney, began when Disney’s channels went dark on the streaming platform. Multiple college football and NFL games have come and gone without a resolution, forcing fans to look elsewhere to watch the action.
As college football heads into a loaded Week 12 slate with several key matchups airing on Disney-owned channels — including Oklahoma vs. Alabama and Texas vs. Georgia — the latest reports suggest the dispute is far from over. Disney representatives said on Nov. 13 that the carriage standoff could continue "for a little while," according to Front Office Sports,
Carriage fees are at the main point of the disagreement. YouTube TV has accused Disney and ESPN of attempting to raise prices and, in turn, force customers to pay more. Disney, meanwhile, has said YouTube TV is "refusing to pay fair rates for our channels."
Here's the latest on the YouTube TV-Disney dispute that's left ESPN, ABC and more channels dark on the streaming platform.
MORE: Three best YouTube TV alternatives to stream college football games
YouTube TV and ESPN dispute updates
Friday, Nov. 14
In further details from Disney's Thursday earnings call, according to Awful Announcing, CEO Bob Iger, CFO Hugh Johnston and Treasurer Carlos Gomez "chose not to go into specifics on the current state of live negotiations." Johnston mentioned that while Disney is losing millions of dollars every day from the dispute, "any customers subscribing directly to a Disney or ESPN platform or switching their subscription are at least somewhat mitigating the losses."
Here is a full quote from Disney CEO Bob Iger from the earnings call about the YouTube TV dispute, courtesy of Awful Announcing:
" First of all, obviously, we care deeply about our consumer, and our priority has always been to remain on their service without interruption, to close a deal on a timely basis so that interruption does not occur. The deal that we have proposed is equal to or better than what other large distributors have already agreed to. We’re not trying to really break any new ground."
"While we’ve been working tirelessly to close this deal and restore our channels to the platform, it’s also imperative that we make sure that we agree to a deal that reflects the value that we deliver, which both YouTube, by the way, and Alphabet have told us is greater than the value of any other provider. We’re not trying to break new ground. The offer that’s on the table is commensurate with deals that we’ve already struck with actual distributors that are larger than they are. We’re trying really hard, as I said, working tirelessly to close this deal. We’re hopeful that we’ll be able to do so on a timely enough basis to at least give consumers the opportunity to access our content over their platform."
Thursday, Nov. 13
According to Front Office Sports, Disney said that its carriage standoff with YouTube TV, which has now hit 14 days, “could go for a little while.” The dispute is in its 14th day, a full two weeks, as of Nov. 13.
In Disney's earnings call, CEO Bob Iger said the company's offer on the table asks Google to agree to terms similar to other carriage deals.
“The deal that we have proposed is equal to or better than what other large distributors have already agreed to,” Iger said. “We’re not trying to really break any new ground.”
CNBC's Alex Sherman reported that YouTube TV wants ESPN's new app, ESPN Unlimited, to be included in the carriage deal. YouTube TV is currently offering $20 credit for its subscribers, and ESPN Unlimited is $29.99 a month.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr also recently took to social media to comment on the YouTube TV-Disney dispute, writing that the sides need to "get it done" on his X account on Nov. 10.
"People should have the right to watch the programming they paid for — including football," Carr wrote.
Wednesday, Nov. 12
YouTube TV tells Awful Announcing that the price of ABC, not ESPN, has been the sticking point between the two sides, though some of ESPN’s content is also broadcast live on ABC.
YouTube TV also disputed reporting from Puck that the platform is pursuing a lower rate for Disney content than the three largest distributors received, which Disney says would trigger parts of its contracts with those distributors requiring them to offer lower rates. YouTube TV instead says it only wants lower rates once it surpasses those distributors in subscribers and would pay the same rates for the time being.
Additionally on Wednesday, Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported that "there is potential renewed momentum" between YouTube TV and Disney to reach a deal. Per Marchand, one obstacle remaining is "how much to pay for Disney’s ancillary non-sports networks," such as Freeform, FX and National Geographic. While a deal has not been reached, Marchand notes that there is "renewed momentum" toward a conclusion.
Tuesday, Nov. 11
According to Variety, Disney is losing an estimated $30 million per week, or $4.3 million per day, from its networks being pulled off YouTube TV based on Morgan Stanley analysts' estimations.
That reporting marked day No. 12 of the Disney blackout on YouTube TV. Disney is also scheduled to report earnings for the September 2025 quarter on Thursday, Nov. 13.
Monday, Nov. 10
YouTube TV customers were officially informed on Sunday that they will receive a $20 account credit. Google had previously indicated that a credit was forthcoming as the dispute extended through the weekend.
“We know it’s been disappointing to lose Disney content, and we want you to know we deeply appreciate your patience. In light of the disruption, we’re offering our subscribers a $20 credit,” YouTube TV said in an email to customers. “Over the next few days, you will receive a follow-up email with instructions on how to redeem your $20 credit for YouTube TV. Once redeemed, it will be applied to your next bill.”
Andrew Marchand of The Athletic wrote that if there is no agreement on Monday night, he thinks could be one on Thursday when Disney is set to have an earnings call — which was not the case, as the dispute has continued into another weekend. Marchand also warned that if the two sides went another week with no agreement, that it is not a good sign for one to happen.
Disney CEO Bob Iger also joined the "Manningcast" from Lambeau Field for Week 10's "Monday Night Football" game. He talked about his Green Bay Packers' fandom, but did not mention anything about the dispute with YouTube TV or if any progress has been made.
MORE: Explaining YouTube TV-ESPN contract dispute
Why is ABC not on YouTube TV?
ABC is not on YouTube TV because Google and Disney failed to reach an agreement on a new deal in their carriage dispute. In a statement, Disney previously claimed Google's YouTube TV is "refusing to pay fair rates for our channels," which includes ABC.
Why is ESPN not on YouTube TV?
ESPN is not on YouTube TV because Google and Disney failed to reach an agreement on a new deal in their carriage dispute. In a statement, Disney previously claimed Google's YouTube TV is "refusing to pay fair rates for our channels," which includes ESPN.
How to watch ESPN without YouTube TV
Because YouTube TV has nearly 10 million subscribers, viewers across the country have been searching for alternatives, and could continue to if a deal isn’t reached.
ESPN is available through a number of different alternate streaming platforms, including Fubo, which offers prospective subscribers a free trial.
| Streaming Option | Cable subscription needed? | Free? | Cost | Free Trial |
| Hulu + Live TV | No | No | $82.99/month | Yes |
| Sling TV* | No | No | $45.99/month | Yes |
| Fubo | No | No | $54.99/month | Yes |
College football games on Disney channels this week
There are some high-profile college football games on Disney channels for Week 12, the biggest of which is Texas vs. Georgia.
Here's the full list of Week 12 games set to air on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC:
- South Carolina vs. No. 3 Texas A&M (12 p.m. ET)
- No. 9 Notre Dame vs. No. 22 Pitt (12 p.m. ET)
- No. 24 South Florida vs. Navy (12 p.m. ET)
- No. 11 Oklahoma vs. No. 4 Alabama (3:30 p.m. ET)
- NC State vs. No. 15 Miami (3:30 p.m. ET)
- No. 19 Virginia vs. Duke (3:30 p.m. ET)
- Florida vs. No. 7 Ole Miss (7 p.m. ET)
- No. 13 Utah vs. Baylor (7 p.m. ET)
- No. 10 Texas vs. No. 5 Georgia (7:30 p.m. ET)
- TCU vs. No. 12 BYU (10:15 p.m. ET)
How to watch Monday Night Football without YouTube TV
It's not just ESPN's college football games that have gone dark on YouTube TV — if the dispute lasts until Monday night, Nov. 17, that means the "Monday Night Football" matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders will not be available for YouTube TV customers. Therefore, many people may search for another way to watch the game.
Among the options is Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users, along with Hulu + Live TV or Sling TV. Additionally, customers can also buy ESPN Unlimited, the company's new service that offers all of its networks in one place.
When could YouTube TV subscribers lose ESPN?
YouTube TV subscribers lost ESPN the night Thursday, Oct. 30 because no deal was struck between Google and Disney.
A deal has not been reached, and YouTube TV has said it is offering subscribers a $20 credit because the pause has dragged out.
Which Disney channels were pulled from YouTube TV?
In addition to ESPN and ABC, Disney pulled more than a dozen channels from YouTube TV's package on Thursday, Oct. 30.
Here's the list in full:
- ABC
- ABC News Live
- ACC Network
- Disney Channel
- Disney Junior
- Disney XD
- ESPN
- ESPNews
- ESPN2
- ESPNU
- Freeform
- FX
- FXM
- FXX
- Localish
- Nat Geo
- Nat Geo Wild
- SEC Network
- ESPN Deportes
- Baby TV Español
- Nat Geo Mundo