ESPN is no longer available on YouTube TV as of May 2024
YouTube TV and ESPN ended their carriage agreement in May 2024, which means ESPN channels are no longer part of YouTube TV's lineup. This happened after a contract dispute between Google and Disney, which owns ESPN. If you subscribed to YouTube TV specifically for ESPN, you lost access to live games, SportsCenter, and other ESPN programming when the channels were removed.
The removal affected all ESPN-branded channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPN News. Regional sports networks that carried local teams also disappeared from the service. YouTube TV did not offer a refund for the remainder of your billing cycle, though some users reported being able to pause their subscriptions.
Key Takeaways
- ESPN channels were removed from YouTube TV in May 2024 after Google and Disney failed to reach a new carriage agreement.
- All ESPN-branded channels and regional sports networks disappeared at once, not gradually.
- YouTube TV did not automatically refund subscribers, though you could contact support to pause your account.
- Other streaming services still carry ESPN, including Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV's main competitor for sports content.
- YouTube TV's base price did not drop after ESPN was removed, so you pay the same amount for fewer channels.
Why ESPN and YouTube TV split
Disney, which owns ESPN, and Google, which owns YouTube TV, disagreed over how much YouTube TV should pay to carry ESPN channels. Disney wanted higher fees; Google refused to pay them. Neither company publicly disclosed the exact numbers, but industry reports suggested Disney was asking for rates closer to what traditional cable providers pay, while Google wanted to keep costs lower to maintain YouTube TV's competitive pricing.
This type of dispute happens regularly in the streaming world. Networks and streaming services negotiate carriage agreements every few years, and sometimes they cannot reach a deal. When that happens, the channels disappear when ready — there is no gradual phase-out. YouTube TV subscribers woke up one day in May 2024 and ESPN was gone.
What YouTube TV subscribers lost
The removal meant you could no longer watch live ESPN broadcasts, including college football, NBA games, and other sports that air on ESPN channels. You also lost access to SportsCenter, ESPN's flagship news program, and other original ESPN programming. If you had set up recordings or favorites for ESPN shows, those disappeared from your library.
Regional sports networks that YouTube TV carried also vanished. These networks broadcast local NBA, NHL, and MLB games for specific markets. If you lived in a city with a regional sports network, you lost the ability to watch your local team play on YouTube TV.
Where to watch ESPN now
Hulu + Live TV is the most direct replacement. It includes all ESPN channels, regional sports networks, and costs more than YouTube TV's base plan — currently around $76.99 per month. Hulu + Live TV also includes on-demand Hulu content, which YouTube TV does not offer. If sports are your priority, this is the closest equivalent to what you had.
The ESPN app lets you stream some games and shows if you have a cable or streaming login from another provider. You can sign in with credentials from Hulu, YouTube TV (if you still subscribe), or many other services. Not all content is available without a cable login, and some games are exclusive to the app.
Sling TV offers ESPN channels on its Orange plan for $40 per month, making it cheaper than Hulu + Live TV. However, Sling does not include regional sports networks, so you cannot watch local team broadcasts. Sling also has fewer total channels than YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV.
YouTube TV still works for other sports. You can watch NFL games on Fox and CBS, NHL games on TNT, and some college sports on other networks. YouTube TV carries plenty of sports programming — just not ESPN's channels.
What YouTube TV did and did not do for subscribers
YouTube TV did not offer automatic refunds when ESPN was removed. The service kept its standard price despite losing a major channel bundle. Some subscribers reported that YouTube TV support allowed them to pause their subscription for a month or two, but this was not a standard policy — it depended on who you spoke with and how you asked.
YouTube TV did send an email notification explaining the removal and directing users to other options. The company did not offer a discount or credit toward future months. If you wanted to leave YouTube TV because of the ESPN removal, you could cancel anytime, but you would not receive money back for the current billing period.
Whether to stay with YouTube TV or switch
If sports are not your main reason for streaming, YouTube TV still offers good value. It includes Fox, CBS, NBC, ABC, TNT, and other networks that carry sports, plus hundreds of other channels. The interface is clean, and the DVR is unlimited.
If you specifically subscribed for ESPN, you should compare YouTube TV's current price against Hulu + Live TV or Sling TV. Calculate what you actually watch. If you use YouTube TV for news, entertainment, and occasional sports on non-ESPN networks, staying might make sense. If you watch ESPN regularly, switching to Hulu + Live TV or using the ESPN app with a cable login from another service is more practical.
Check whether you have a cable or streaming login from another provider that works with the ESPN app. If you do, you might not need to switch services at all — you can watch ESPN games through the app while keeping YouTube TV for everything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get ESPN back on YouTube TV?
Not unless Google and Disney reach a new agreement. There is no timeline for negotiations to resume, and neither company has announced plans to work out a deal. For now, ESPN is permanently off YouTube TV.
Do I get a refund for losing ESPN?
YouTube TV did not issue automatic refunds. You can contact YouTube TV support to ask about pausing your subscription or canceling without penalty, but refunds for the current billing period are not may provide. Results vary depending on when you contact them and how long you have been a subscriber.
Can I watch ESPN games another way without switching services?
Yes, if you have a cable or streaming login from another provider. The ESPN app lets you sign in with credentials from Hulu, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV (if you still subscribe), or many cable providers. You can then stream ESPN content through the app without paying for a separate service.
Does YouTube TV have any sports channels left?
Yes. YouTube TV still carries Fox, CBS, NBC, ABC, TNT, TBS, and other networks that broadcast NFL, NBA, NHL, and college sports. You just cannot watch ESPN-specific programming or regional sports networks on YouTube TV anymore.
Is Hulu + Live TV worth switching to?
That depends on what you watch. Hulu + Live TV costs more than YouTube TV but includes ESPN channels, regional sports networks, and on-demand Hulu content. If ESPN is essential to you, it is the closest replacement. If you only watch ESPN occasionally, the ESPN app with a cable login might be cheaper.