Most major carrier disputes seem to end before a significant number of viewers are affected, but Google's YouTube TV and Disney's ESPN remain locked in a stalemate.
ESPN networks went dark on YouTube TV on Oct. 30. Despite hopes the issues would be resolved and fans would still be able to avoid missing college football or "Monday Night Football," the networks have remained quiet on the platform for multiple football weekends, leaving frustrated customers scrambling for alternatives.
Carriage fees are at the center of the disagreement, with YouTube TV accusing Disney and ESPN of attempting to raise prices and, in turn, force customers to pay more.
"Disney is proposing costly economic terms that would raise prices for YouTube TV customers and give our customers fewer choices, while benefitting Disney’s own live TV products," YouTube TV said in an early statement.
Here are the latest updates as the dispute lingers into another major NFL window.
MORE: Explaining YouTube TV-ESPN contract dispute
YouTube TV and ESPN dispute updates
Monday, Nov. 10
YouTube TV customers were officially informed they will receive a $20 account credit on Sunday, fulfilling a promise Google made as the dispute lingered into the end of 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 to customers in an email. "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, this will be applied to your next bill."
Sunday, Nov. 9
Negotiations between Google and Disney are continuing throughout the weekend, Deadline reports, despite neither side publicly revealing any sign of progress in talks.
Google "submitted a revised proposal to Disney this weekend," the outlet says, with "Monday Night Football" between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers looming.
MORE: See our guide to other streaming options for 'Monday Night Football'
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, and ABC, along with ESPN, is operated by Disney. ESPN claims Google's YouTube TV is "refusing to pay fair rates for our channels," which includes ABC.
Why is ESPN not on YouTube TV?
ESPN and its family of networks are also owned by Disney, which has not been able to come to an agreement with Google on a carriage deal for YouTube TV.
How to watch ESPN without YouTube TV
YouTube TV has nearly 10 million subscribers, so a significant number of fans have been without quick access to football and other sports on ESPN networks for nearly two weeks.
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 |
How to watch Monday Night Football without YouTube TV
YouTube TV customers already missed out on "Monday Night Football" between the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys, and the matchup between the Eagles and Packers could suffer the same fate as the dispute carries on.
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.
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 the night of 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