YouTube TV does not include ESPN, and that's because of how Disney licenses sports content
YouTube TV does not carry ESPN, ESPN2, or any other ESPN networks. This is not a technical limitation or a recent change—it's a licensing decision. Disney, which owns ESPN, negotiates separate carriage agreements with each streaming service. YouTube TV and Disney have not reached a deal that includes ESPN channels, so they remain unavailable on that platform.
The reason comes down to money and leverage. ESPN is one of the most expensive channels for any video service to carry because sports programming draws large audiences and commands high licensing fees. Disney bundles ESPN with other channels and sets the price high. YouTube TV's parent company, Google, has chosen not to pay that price, or the two companies have not agreed on terms.
This matters because ESPN carries live games from the NFL, NBA, college football, college basketball, and other sports that many households want to watch. If you subscribe to YouTube TV specifically to watch ESPN, you will not find it there.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV does not carry ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU because Google and Disney have not reached a licensing agreement.
- Other streaming services like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV's main competitor, also do not include ESPN in their base packages.
- You can watch ESPN through the ESPN+ streaming app, but ESPN+ does not carry all the same games as the cable channel ESPN.
- If you need live ESPN broadcasts, cable, satellite, or a live TV streaming service that does carry ESPN are your options.
Which streaming services actually carry ESPN
Hulu + Live TV includes ESPN and ESPN2 in its base package. This is the main competitor to YouTube TV, and it costs more per month because of channels like ESPN. If you want a live TV streaming service with ESPN included, Hulu + Live TV is the most straightforward option.
Sling TV offers ESPN through its Sling Orange package, which is cheaper than Hulu + Live TV but carries fewer channels overall. You can also add sports-focused add-ons to Sling if you want additional sports networks.
YouTube TV, by contrast, focuses on local channels, news, and entertainment. It does not prioritize sports content, and ESPN is the clearest example of that choice.
ESPN+ is not the same as the ESPN channel
ESPN+ is a separate streaming service owned by Disney. It costs money on top of any other subscription you have. Many people assume ESPN+ will let them watch the same games they see on cable ESPN, but that is not how it works.
ESPN+ carries some live games, original shows, and sports documentaries. However, it does not carry the prime-time ESPN broadcasts that air on the cable channel. If a game is on ESPN on cable, it is usually not on ESPN+, and vice versa. ESPN+ is a supplement to cable ESPN, not a replacement.
You can bundle ESPN+ with Hulu and Disney+ through Disney's bundle offer, which may be cheaper than buying all three separately. But again, ESPN+ alone will not give you access to all ESPN broadcasts.
What to do if you want ESPN and YouTube TV
You have three realistic paths. The first is to switch to Hulu + Live TV, which includes ESPN and offers a similar channel lineup to YouTube TV. You lose YouTube TV but gain ESPN.
The second is to keep YouTube TV and add ESPN+ separately through the Disney bundle. This gives you some ESPN content, but not all live games. You would still miss prime-time ESPN broadcasts that do not appear on ESPN+.
The third is to keep YouTube TV and use another method to watch ESPN—cable, satellite, or borrowing a login from someone who has cable. Many cable providers let you stream ESPN through the ESPN app if you log in with your cable credentials.
Why YouTube TV made this choice
YouTube TV is designed for people who want local channels, news, and entertainment without paying for expensive sports packages. Sports channels, especially ESPN, are costly to license. By not carrying them, YouTube TV keeps its base price lower than competitors like Hulu + Live TV.
This strategy works for households that do not prioritize sports. If you watch local news, network broadcasts, and cable shows, YouTube TV covers most of what you need. But if you are a sports fan, the lack of ESPN is a significant gap.
Google has not announced any plans to add ESPN to YouTube TV. If that changes, it would likely mean a price increase to match the cost of licensing.
Checking what sports channels YouTube TV does have
YouTube TV does carry some sports content. It includes regional sports networks in some markets, which broadcast local team games. It also carries channels like FS1 (Fox Sports 1), which shows some live sports events.
The best way to see what sports channels are available in your area is to start a free trial of YouTube TV and browse the channel list. YouTube TV offers a trial period, and you can see exactly which channels appear in your region before you commit to a subscription.
If you are looking for a specific sport or team, search the YouTube TV channel guide for that network. If it is not listed, you know it is not available on that service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch ESPN games on YouTube TV if I log in with my cable account?
No. The ESPN app requires a cable or satellite login, but YouTube TV is not a cable provider, so your YouTube TV login will not work. You would need a separate cable subscription or a login borrowed from someone who has cable.
Does YouTube TV have any ESPN content at all?
YouTube TV does not carry ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU. It may carry some sports on other networks like FS1, but not on any ESPN channel.
Will YouTube TV add ESPN in the future?
There is no public announcement about this. It would require a new licensing agreement between Google and Disney, and any deal would likely raise YouTube TV's price. You should not expect ESPN to appear on YouTube TV without a major change in their business relationship.
Is ESPN+ included with YouTube TV?
No. ESPN+ is a separate subscription owned by Disney. You can buy it independently or as part of Disney's bundle with Hulu and Disney+, but it does not come with YouTube TV.
What is the cheapest way to get ESPN if I use YouTube TV?
Switching to Hulu + Live TV is the simplest option because it includes ESPN in the base package. If you want to keep YouTube TV, adding ESPN+ through the Disney bundle is cheaper than buying ESPN+ alone, but you will still miss some live ESPN broadcasts.