Blackout
How to Watch ABC, ESPN, & Other Disney Channels Without YouTube TV
Disney-owned channels are still blacked out on YouTube TV. Here are some alternatives to stream ESPN, ABC, and other channels in the meantime
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November 3, 2025
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Millions of YouTube TV customers found themselves without ESPN, ABC, and other Disney channels on Friday after Google and Disney failed to reach an agreement during carriage fee contract negotiations.
The YouTube TV Disney blackout came just before a weekend packed with events on ESPN, like NBA games and Saturday’s Oklahoma vs. Tennessee and Vanderbilt vs. Texas college football matchups. The blackout is still in effect, as of Monday, with a Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals Monday Night Football matchup airing on ESPN.
At a Glance: How to Watch ESPN, ABC Without YouTube TV
- Stream: DirecTV, Fubo, ESPN Unlimited, Sling, Hulu + Live TV
- Free trials: DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV
Google or Disney hasn’t specified when the blackout could end. However, YouTube TV is reportedly offering some subscribers a $10 monthly credit for six months while the dispute continues.
How to Watch ESPN, ABC Without YouTube TV
While YouTube TV’s credit is welcome as an apology, it doesn’t fix the problem. If you’re still unable to watch ESPN and ABC with YouTube TV, we recommend checking out an alternative streaming service to watch the channels. Some of the best options are DirecTV, Fubo, Sling, or Hulu + Live TV, which will let you watch ESPN and ABC without YouTube TV. DirecTV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV also offer free trials.
DirecTV
Get a five-day free trial to stream ABC and ESPN channels.
Sling is also a great option because it offers short-term passes. They have a day pass, which costs $4.99, a weekend pass, which costs $9.99, and a week pass, which costs $14.99.
Sling
Short-term passes for ESPN, ABC streams during the YouTube TV blackout.
Another option is to watch ESPN using the sports giant’s own streaming service, ESPN Unlimited. The new service delivers livestreams of all ESPN channels, making it a great YouTube TV alternative. However, it’s slightly pricey at $29.99 and doesn’t offer a free trial.
ESPN Unlimited
All ESPN channels in one place.
Stream ESPN, ABC for Free
If you want to watch ESPN or ABC for free, take advantage of the free trials from DirecTV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV. All three of these will get you free ESPN and ABC livestreams for a limited time — hopefully until the YouTube TV-Disney dispute has been resolved.
When Will ESPN, ABC be Back on YouTube TV?
Three days into the dispute, and there’s still no word yet on when ESPN, ABC, and other Disney properties will be back on YouTube TV. Last year’s DirecTV-Disney dispute lasted for 13 days, if that’s any reference, but this one could be very different.
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