YouTube TV doesn't carry Monday Night Football because ESPN holds the broadcast rights and YouTube TV's contract with ESPN doesn't include it
Monday Night Football airs on ESPN, but YouTube TV's agreement with ESPN covers only certain sports programming — not the full NFL package. ESPN's rights to broadcast MNF are separate from the general ESPN channel bundle that YouTube TV offers. This means you can watch other ESPN content on YouTube TV, but live MNF games are blocked out.
The rights to broadcast NFL games are divided among multiple networks: ESPN has Monday Night Football, CBS and Fox split Sunday games, and NBC handles Sunday Night Football. YouTube TV carries ESPN, but that contract does not extend to MNF specifically. If you want to watch Monday Night Football, you need a different streaming service or cable provider that has paid for those rights.
Key Takeaways
- ESPN owns the broadcast rights to Monday Night Football, but YouTube TV's ESPN package does not include MNF games.
- You can watch other ESPN programming on YouTube TV, such as college sports and SportsCenter, but live NFL Monday games are not available.
- ESPN+ (a separate subscription from ESPN on YouTube TV) streams some MNF games, but not all of them.
- Cable providers and other streaming services that have paid for MNF rights can show the games, but YouTube TV has not purchased that specific right.
Where You Can Actually Watch Monday Night Football
ESPN+ streams some Monday Night Football games, though not every game of the season. ESPN+ is a separate subscription from the ESPN channel on YouTube TV — you cannot access ESPN+ through your YouTube TV account. You would need to pay for ESPN+ directly through the ESPN website or app.
Traditional cable providers like Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, and AT&T U-verse all carry ESPN with MNF rights included. If you have cable through one of these providers, you can watch on the ESPN channel or stream through the ESPN app using your cable login. Hulu + Live TV is another streaming option that includes ESPN with MNF rights, though it is a separate service from YouTube TV.
Amazon Prime Video also streams Thursday Night Football, which is a different NFL package, but does not carry Monday Night Football. The NFL's broadcast rights are fragmented across multiple networks, so the service you need depends on which game you want to watch and which day it airs.
Why YouTube TV Doesn't Have the Rights
YouTube TV negotiates contracts with networks based on what content those networks are willing to license. ESPN charges different rates for different programming packages. The base ESPN channel that YouTube TV carries includes SportsCenter, college football, college basketball, and other sports — but the Monday Night Football package costs extra and requires a separate negotiation.
YouTube TV has chosen not to pay for the MNF rights as part of its service. This is a business decision: adding MNF would increase the cost of the YouTube TV subscription, which might make it less competitive against other streaming services. YouTube TV prioritizes keeping its base price lower rather than adding every possible sports package.
What Sports Are Available on YouTube TV
YouTube TV includes live sports through its ESPN, Fox Sports, and NBC Sports channels. You can watch college football, college basketball, NBA games, NHL games, and some NFL games — specifically Sunday Night Football on NBC and some Sunday afternoon games on Fox and CBS. The service also carries MLB, MLS, and various college sports throughout the year.
The sports you get depend on which network owns the broadcast rights. If a game airs on a channel that YouTube TV carries, you can watch it. If it airs on a channel or service that YouTube TV does not have a contract with — like ESPN+ for certain MNF games — you cannot watch it through YouTube TV.
Checking Your YouTube TV Channel Lineup
You can see exactly which channels your YouTube TV account includes by opening the app or website and looking at the full channel list. Go to the "Browse" or "Home" section and scroll through the available channels. YouTube TV's channel lineup varies slightly by location, so your available sports programming might differ from another user's.
If you want to confirm whether a specific game is available on YouTube TV before game time, check the ESPN or network website for that game's broadcast information. The network listing will tell you which channel is showing the game. Then check whether YouTube TV carries that channel in your area.
Alternatives If You Want Monday Night Football
If Monday Night Football is important to you, compare the cost of adding ESPN+ to your YouTube TV subscription against switching to a different streaming service entirely. Hulu + Live TV costs more than YouTube TV but includes MNF rights through ESPN. Some people keep YouTube TV for general use and add ESPN+ separately just for the games they want to watch.
Another option is to check whether your internet provider offers an ESPN app login. Some broadband providers (separate from cable TV) bundle ESPN+ access with internet service. You would need to contact your provider to see if this is available in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Monday Night Football on ESPN through YouTube TV?
No. While YouTube TV carries the ESPN channel, the Monday Night Football broadcast rights are not included in that package. ESPN owns MNF, but YouTube TV's contract with ESPN does not cover those specific games.
Does ESPN+ on YouTube TV include Monday Night Football?
YouTube TV does not offer ESPN+ as an add-on. ESPN+ is a separate subscription you purchase directly from ESPN. Some MNF games stream on ESPN+, but you cannot access it through your YouTube TV account.
Will YouTube TV ever add Monday Night Football?
That depends on whether YouTube TV and ESPN negotiate a new contract that includes MNF rights. There is no announced plan to add it, but streaming rights agreements change over time as contracts renew.
What if I use a cable provider's app — can I watch MNF through YouTube TV?
No. YouTube TV is a separate service from cable provider apps. If you have cable through Comcast or another provider, you can watch MNF through that provider's app or channel, but not through YouTube TV.
Is there a way to stream Monday Night Football without cable?
Yes. ESPN+ streams some MNF games (though not all). Hulu + Live TV includes ESPN with MNF rights and is available as a standalone streaming service. You can also check whether your internet provider offers ESPN+ access as part of a bundle.