ESPN is no longer available on YouTube TV as of May 2024

Yes, ESPN left YouTube TV. The two companies failed to reach a new carriage agreement, and ESPN channels — including ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU — stopped streaming on YouTube TV on May 8, 2024. This was not a temporary outage. YouTube TV removed the entire ESPN network from its channel lineup, and as of now, those channels remain unavailable on the platform.

The dispute centered on the cost YouTube TV would pay to carry ESPN's channels. Disney, which owns ESPN, wanted higher fees. YouTube TV declined to meet that price, and the negotiation ended without a deal. This type of disagreement happens regularly in streaming — it is how channels move between services or disappear from them entirely.

Key Takeaways

  • ESPN channels left YouTube TV in May 2024 and have not returned, meaning you cannot watch live ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU on that service anymore.
  • YouTube TV removed ESPN because the two companies could not agree on what YouTube TV would pay Disney to carry the channels.
  • If you subscribed to YouTube TV mainly for ESPN, you can switch to a different streaming service that still carries ESPN, or watch ESPN through the ESPN+ app or ESPN.com.
  • YouTube TV's price did not drop when ESPN left, so you are paying the same amount for fewer channels.

Where to watch ESPN now if you had YouTube TV

If you watched ESPN on YouTube TV, you have several options. ESPN+ is Disney's direct streaming service and carries some live games, original shows, and on-demand content, though not all televised ESPN broadcasts. You can also watch ESPN.com and the ESPN app if you have a cable or streaming login from another provider — Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream all carry ESPN channels.

Hulu with Live TV includes ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU as part of its base package, along with many other channels YouTube TV carried. Fubo and Sling TV also carry ESPN channels, though their channel lineups and prices differ. If you want to keep your current YouTube TV subscription and add ESPN elsewhere, ESPN+ costs less than a full streaming service but does not include all live broadcasts.

Why streaming services lose channels

When a channel leaves a streaming service, it is almost always because of money. Networks like ESPN charge streaming platforms a fee for every subscriber who can access them — this is called a carriage fee. As ESPN's value has grown (especially with sports rights), Disney has raised what it charges. YouTube TV decided the cost was too high and chose not to pay it.

This happens with other networks too. Paramount channels have left services, HBO Max content has shifted, and regional sports networks have disappeared from streaming entirely. The difference is that ESPN is one of the most expensive channels for any streaming service to carry, so when negotiations fail, the impact is large. YouTube TV kept its price the same after losing ESPN, which is why many subscribers felt the change was unfair.

What YouTube TV subscribers lost

YouTube TV subscribers lost access to live ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU. This meant no live college football, NFL games that air on ESPN, NBA games, or other sports that ESPN broadcasts. YouTube TV did not lower its monthly price after the channels left, so subscribers who relied on ESPN for sports coverage had to either accept losing those channels or switch services.

YouTube TV still carries other sports channels like Fox Sports, NBC Sports, and regional sports networks in some areas, but ESPN is the largest sports network in the United States. For viewers whose main reason for subscribing was ESPN, the loss was significant.

Whether YouTube TV is still worth it without ESPN

That depends on what you watch. YouTube TV still includes ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, and cable channels like TNT, TBS, and USA Network. If you watch network television, cable shows, or other sports on channels that remained, YouTube TV may still work for you. If ESPN was your primary reason for the subscription, you should compare YouTube TV's price to other services that carry ESPN.

Hulu with Live TV costs more than YouTube TV but includes ESPN channels. Fubo is designed for sports fans and carries ESPN, though its channel selection is different. Sling TV is cheaper but has fewer channels overall. The right choice depends on which channels matter most to you and how much you want to spend.

Can ESPN return to YouTube TV?

It is possible but not certain. If Disney and YouTube TV reach a new agreement on carriage fees, ESPN could return. However, there is no sign of active negotiations, and the gap between what Disney wants and what YouTube TV is willing to pay has not closed. Streaming services sometimes bring back channels after months or years away, but it requires both sides to move toward a middle ground.

For now, you should assume ESPN will not return to YouTube TV in the near term and plan accordingly. If you need ESPN, choose a service that currently carries it rather than waiting for YouTube TV to add it back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get ESPN on YouTube TV at all right now?

No. ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU are not available on YouTube TV as of May 2024. YouTube TV does not offer any way to add ESPN as an extra channel or upgrade. If you need ESPN, you must use a different service.

Will YouTube TV lower its price now that ESPN is gone?

YouTube TV has not lowered its price. The service costs the same as it did when ESPN was included. This is why many subscribers felt the removal was unfair — they lost a major channel without a price cut.

Is ESPN+ the same as ESPN on YouTube TV?

No. ESPN+ is a separate streaming service that carries some live games and original content, but not all televised ESPN broadcasts. If you want to watch all ESPN programming, you need either ESPN+ plus a cable or streaming login, or a service like Hulu with Live TV that includes the ESPN channels.

What sports can I still watch on YouTube TV?

YouTube TV carries Fox, NBC, CBS, and ABC, which broadcast NFL, NBA, MLB, and college sports. You can also watch some sports on cable channels like TNT and TBS. However, you will miss ESPN-exclusive broadcasts and some college football and basketball games that air only on ESPN.

If I switch services, can I keep my YouTube TV shows?

No. Your YouTube TV recordings and saved shows are tied to your YouTube TV account. If you cancel, you lose access to everything you recorded. You would need to start fresh with a new service.