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

Yes, ESPN was removed from YouTube TV in May 2024 after a contract dispute between Google and Disney, which owns ESPN. YouTube TV subscribers lost access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPN News on that date. The removal affected roughly 5 million YouTube TV customers who had relied on those channels for sports coverage.

The dispute centered on the cost Disney charged Google to carry the channels. Google and Disney could not reach a new agreement before the previous contract expired, so the channels went dark. This was not a temporary outage — it was a permanent removal unless and until the two companies negotiate a new deal.

If you were a YouTube TV subscriber when this happened, you lost access to live sports programming on those channels. YouTube TV did not automatically refund the portion of your bill that covered ESPN, though some subscribers reported receiving credits or being offered discounts on their next month.

Key Takeaways

  • ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPN News were removed from YouTube TV in May 2024 due to a contract disagreement between Google and Disney.
  • YouTube TV subscribers who want ESPN access now must use the ESPN app, ESPN+, or switch to a different streaming service that carries ESPN.
  • The removal was permanent as of the contract expiration date, and there is no set timeline for the channels to return to YouTube TV.
  • Other YouTube TV channels remained available, but sports fans lost live access to most ESPN programming through the platform.

Why Disney and Google could not reach a deal

Disney demanded higher fees for ESPN than Google was willing to pay. As traditional cable viewership declined, Disney pushed streaming services and YouTube TV to pay more per subscriber to make up the lost revenue from cable contracts. Google argued that the price increase was too steep for a service that costs less than traditional cable.

This type of dispute happens regularly in streaming. Networks and streaming platforms negotiate contracts every few years, and when they disagree on price, channels go dark. The same thing has happened with other networks on YouTube TV, Hulu Live, and other services over the years.

Neither company announced plans to resume negotiations after the May 2024 removal, so the situation remained unresolved for months. Disney has not indicated it will lower its asking price, and Google has not said it will pay more.

How to watch ESPN without YouTube TV

The ESPN app lets you stream ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU if you have a cable or streaming login from a provider that carries ESPN. This includes logins from Hulu Live, Sling TV, Fubo, YouTube TV (before the removal), or traditional cable. If you do not have one of those logins, you cannot use the ESPN app to watch live games.

ESPN+ is Disney's direct subscription service and costs around $11 per month (or $110 per year). It carries some live sports, original shows, and replays, but it does not carry all ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU programming. Many major games air on the main ESPN channels, not ESPN+, so this is not a complete replacement.

Other streaming services still carry ESPN. Hulu Live, Sling TV, and Fubo all include ESPN in their base packages. These services cost between $40 and $80 per month depending on the plan. If you want ESPN and other channels YouTube TV no longer offers, switching to one of these services is an option, though you will pay more than YouTube TV's base price.

What YouTube TV subscribers lost

YouTube TV subscribers lost access to live sports on ESPN's main channels. This included college football, college basketball, the NBA, Major League Baseball, and other sports that air on ESPN and ESPN2. ESPNU carries college sports, and ESPN News carries sports updates and analysis.

YouTube TV still carries other sports channels, including Fox Sports, NBC Sports, and regional sports networks in some markets. If you watched sports on those channels, your access did not change. But if ESPN was your primary sports source, the removal was a significant loss.

YouTube TV did not raise its price after removing ESPN, so the service remained at its standard rate. However, subscribers who signed up specifically for ESPN access found the service less valuable without it.

Whether YouTube TV might add ESPN back

There is no public timeline for ESPN to return to YouTube TV. Both companies would need to agree on a new contract, and as of now, they remain far apart on price. Disney continues to push for higher fees across all platforms, while Google has shown it will let channels go dark rather than pay what Disney asks.

In the past, some channels have returned to YouTube TV after months or even years of being removed. For example, certain regional sports networks were removed and later restored after new agreements. However, there is no may provide this will happen with ESPN.

If you need ESPN access and want to stay with YouTube TV, you would have to use the ESPN app with a login from another provider, or subscribe to ESPN+ as a supplement. Neither option is ideal if you want all ESPN programming in one place.

Other channels affected by YouTube TV disputes

YouTube TV has had contract disputes with other networks over the years. In 2022, Sinclair Broadcast Group removed local channels from YouTube TV, affecting access to local news and some sports. In 2021, YouTube TV lost access to some Turner networks temporarily. These disputes are common in streaming because networks and platforms constantly renegotiate contracts.

When a channel is removed, YouTube TV typically notifies subscribers by email and offers them the option to pause their subscription or cancel without penalty. However, the company does not automatically refund the cost of the removed channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund for losing ESPN on YouTube TV?

YouTube TV did not issue automatic refunds when ESPN was removed. Some subscribers reported receiving credits or discounts, but this was not a standard policy. Your best option is to contact YouTube TV support and ask if they can offer a credit for the lost channels.

Does ESPN+ have all the same games as ESPN on cable?

No. ESPN+ carries some live sports and original content, but many major games air only on ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU. If you want all ESPN programming, you need access to the main channels through a cable or streaming login, or you need to switch to a service like Hulu Live or Fubo that carries them.

Which streaming services still have ESPN?

Hulu Live, Sling TV, Fubo, and traditional cable all carry ESPN. Prices vary, but most cost between $40 and $80 per month. YouTube TV no longer carries ESPN as of May 2024.

Will ESPN ever come back to YouTube TV?

It is possible but not certain. Both companies would need to reach a new contract agreement. As of now, they remain in disagreement over price, and neither has announced plans to resume talks.

Can I use my YouTube TV login to watch ESPN on the ESPN app?

No. Since YouTube TV no longer carries ESPN, your YouTube TV login will not work on the ESPN app. You would need a login from a provider that currently carries ESPN, such as Hulu Live, Sling TV, or Fubo.