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YouTube TV and ESPN dispute updates: Latest news and other options to watch NFL, college football & more

Contributing Writer
YouTube TV and ESPN dispute updates: Latest news and other options to watch NFL, college football & more image

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YouTube TV drew the ire of three major carriers in as many months, jousting with Fox, NBC and TelevisaUnivision in high-profile disputes.

On Thursday, Oct. 30, the Google-owned streamer added a fourth entity to its hit list. YouTube TV is entangled in a squabble with ESPN and its parent company, Disney. The feud comes amid a contract stalemate, and the current deal between the two parties expired at the end of the day without a resolution.

YouTube TV and Disney's quarrel largely revolves around carriage fees -- the costs incurred by YouTube TV to carry Disney programs. In a statement, YouTube TV claimed that Disney's pursuit of profits threatens to result in higher prices for YouTube TV customers.

“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.

Disney fired back, accusing YouTube TV of "exploiting its position at the expense of its customers."

“We invest significantly in our content, and expect our partners to pay fair rates that recognize that value," Disney said. "If we don’t reach a fair deal soon, YouTube TV customers will lose access to ESPN and ABC, and all our marquee programming -- including the NFL, college football, NBA, and NHL seasons -- and so much more.”

Structural issues are also believed to play a role. It's unclear how YouTube TV would interact with Disney's Hulu. Here's the latest on the falling-out that threatens to limit sports fans' access to NFL, college football, and other broadcasts in the coming few weeks.

MORE: Explaining YouTube TV-ESPN contract dispute

YouTube TV and ESPN dispute updates

Saturday, Nov. 8

The two sides are actively negotiating, as of Saturday, The Athletic's Andrew Marchand reported. While the dispute already cost viewers two weekends of college football on ESPN networks, that offers at least some hope of an end in sight.

Marchand also reports YouTube is planning to offer customers a $20 credit if the deal doesn't end by Sunday.

Thursday, Nov. 6

The Athletic's Andrew Marchand reported that YouTube TV and ESPN's dispute revolves largely around money, with the Google-owned entity seeking lower price point for access to Disney programming. Disney, meanwhile, wants YouTube TV to shell out more money for the rights to air Disney programming, citing its subscription numbers and projections compared to Spectrum and Comcast — YouTube TV's biggest partners.

YouTube TV carries a market cap of $3.4 trillion, far higher than Disney's $200 billion figure. At present, it seems Disney is holding firm in the hopes of securing better terms. However, YouTube TV can absorb plenty of short-term loss as a result of the feud.

It's unclear when the stalemate can be disrupted. LSU and Alabama lead Saturday's slate of college football action, a heavyweight matchup but perhaps not enough of marquee event for either side to budge. "Monday Night Football" is a different story. The Eagles take on the Packers in perhaps the best "MNF" matchup of the year. If YouTube TV can't broadcast it, that would represent a huge loss.

In the meantime, YouTube TV users might be best off searching for a local bar to catch the game. Modernity hasn't taken that away from us...at least not yet.

Tuesday, Nov. 4

AFTERNOON UPDATE: The two sides “remain far apart” in pricing negotiations, according to Sports Business Journal. “Google continues to want its pricing to be closer to what Charter/Spectrum and Comcast, leaders in the space, pay. However, YouTube TV is not quite at the subscriber levels of those two companies yet,” the outlet reports, indicating neither side is close to budging. 

MORNING UPDATE: YouTube TV denied Disney’s request to grant subscribers access to ABC for Election Day coverage, arguing that returning the channel for one day might confuse viewers.

Monday, Nov. 3

AFTERNOON UPDATE:  While ESPN and YouTube TV's stalemate stretches into its fourth day, Disney said it is granting YouTube TV subscribers access to ABC during Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 4).

“Despite the impasse that led to the current blackout, we have asked YouTube TV to restore ABC for Election Day so subscribers have access to the information they rely on," a Disney spokesperson told AllSportsPeople. "We believe in putting the public interest first and hope YouTube TV will take this small step for their customers while we continue to work toward a fair agreement.”

MORE: See our guide to other streaming options for 'Monday Night Football'

MORNING UPDATE:  ESPN's slate of college football contests was blacked out on YouTube TV. At present, the network's "Monday Night Football" broadcast between the Cowboys and the Cardinals is set to suffer a similar fate.

There's reason to believe the stand-off could come to a close. While there still appears to be distance between the two sides on an agreement, the prospect of YouTube TV — and its 10 million subscribers — missing out on an NFL contest is stunning. If such a possibility were to come to fruition, it would represent unchartered territory in the sports broadcasting world.

Saturday, Nov. 1

EVENING UPDATE:  ESPN channels have been blacked out on YouTube TV, leaving subscribers scrambling to find a way to watch. Notable games affected today included No. 9 Vanderbilt vs. No. 20 Texas, No. 5 Georgia vs. Florida, South Carolina vs. No. 7 Ole Miss, and No. 18 Oklahoma vs. No. 14 Tennessee.

College GameDay was also unavailable on YouTube TV. Throughout the day, ESPN personalities encouraged fans to use the ESPN app, knowing YouTube TV customers were looking for a way to catch the college football action.

Disney's dispute with YouTube TV appears to be headed toward having a major impact on Saturday's college football viewing after no deal was reached on Friday. Viewers will notice the blackout immediately when ESPN's 'College GameDay' airs at 9 a.m. ET and as many as 25 games won't be available on YouTube TV.

MORE YOUTUBE TV NEWS:

Friday, Oct. 31

ESPN's blackout on YouTube TV formally started on Friday. At present, that means YouTube TV subscribers are slated to miss out on 25 college football matchups set to take place during the weekend.

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 and contact YouTube TV, be that by email or through various social media channels.

Thursday, Oct. 30

YouTube TV's relationship with ESPN -- and its parent company, Disney -- appears to be coming apart at the seams. The streaming platform's contract with the mass media superpower comes to an end on Thursday at midnight. An agreement on a revised deal has yet to be reached, with YouTube TV vowing to offer subscribers a $20 credit if ESPN and other Disney channels are dropped.

MORE: NFL trade deadline predictions for Breece Hall, Jakobi Meyers, more

The parties failed to reach an agreement by midnight. YouTube TV subscribers will not have access to ESPN effective Friday, Oct. 31.

Disney's channels were pulled shortly before midnight on Thursday, Oct. 30.

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.  Per ESPNPR, 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. Per ESPNPR, Google's YouTube TV is "refusing to pay fair rates for our channels," which includes ESPN.

How to watch ESPN without YouTube TV 

YouTube TV has nearly 10 million subscribers, meaning many viewers across the country could be searching for alternatives 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 OptionCable subscription needed?Free?CostFree Trial
Hulu + Live TVNoNo$82.99/monthYes
Sling TV*NoNo$45.99/monthYes
FuboNoNo$54.99/monthYes

How to watch Monday Night Football without YouTube TV

If this dispute lasts until Monday night, that means the Monday Night Football matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals will not be available for YouTube TV customers. Therefore, many people may pe looking 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 on Thursday night because no deal was struck between Google and Disney.

A deal has not been reached, and YouTube TV will offer subscribers a $20 credit if the pause drags 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 night.

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
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