Subscribe to YouTube TV? Disney pulls plug on ESPN, including college and NFL games

Summary

Disney has removed several of its channels from YouTube TV after negotiations over a new distribution deal broke down. Channels pulled include ABC, ESPN, the Disney Channel, FX and National Geographic. The blackout affects live sports — including some college football games this weekend and scheduled NBA, NFL and NHL coverage — and follows weeks of on-screen warnings to subscribers.

YouTube TV (the largest U.S. internet TV provider with more than 9 million subscribers) says Disney used the threat of a blackout as leverage to demand higher fees, and argues the move benefits Disney-owned streaming products such as Hulu + Live TV and Fubo. Disney counters that Google is refusing to pay fair rates and is using its market position to undercut standard terms. YouTube has offered a $20 credit to subscribers if the blackout continues for an extended period; the platform’s base plan is $82.99 per month.

Key Points

Disney pulled ABC, ESPN, Disney Channel, FX and Nat Geo from YouTube TV after talks failed.
Immediate impact includes potential blackouts of college football this weekend and scheduled NBA, NFL and NHL games.
YouTube TV accuses Disney of using a blackout as bargaining leverage and of trying to drive subscribers to Disney’s own streaming services.
Disney accuses Google of refusing to pay industry-standard rates and says Google is using market dominance to undercut competition.
YouTube TV will offer a $20 credit to subscribers if the Disney channels remain unavailable for an extended period; base plan costs $82.99/month.
The dispute highlights the growing tension between big content owners and distribution platforms over carriage fees and streaming strategies.

Why should I read this?

Short version: if you watch live sports or rely on ABC/ESPN on YouTube TV, this directly hits your weekend viewing. It’s messy, it’s happening now, and it could mean missed games or switching services — so worth a quick skim if you subscribe.

Context and relevance

This dispute matters because it underlines two ongoing industry trends: legacy media companies pushing to monetise content across their own streaming services, and large distribution platforms pushing back on rising carriage costs. For sports fans, the stakes are immediate — missed broadcasts and temporary changes to where games are available. For the broader market, the fight is another sign of how carriage negotiations are reshaping the pay-TV ecosystem and consumer choice.