ABC is missing from YouTube TV because of a contract dispute between Disney and Google
YouTube TV does not carry ABC because Disney, which owns ABC, and Google, which owns YouTube TV, have not reached an agreement on what YouTube TV should pay to broadcast the channel. When these two companies cannot agree on licensing fees, Disney pulls ABC from the service. This has happened multiple times since YouTube TV launched, with ABC disappearing and reappearing depending on whether a new contract was signed.
The most recent blackout began in December 2022 and lasted until March 2023. Before that, ABC was unavailable from May 2021 to June 2021. Each time, YouTube TV subscribers in the affected markets lost access to ABC's live broadcasts, on-demand shows, and cloud DVR recordings of ABC programs.
This is not unique to YouTube TV. The same licensing disputes have caused temporary blackouts of ABC on other streaming services, including Hulu with Live TV and other cable alternatives. The difference is that traditional cable companies have long-standing contracts with Disney that are harder to renegotiate, while YouTube TV's contract with Disney comes up for renewal more frequently.
Key Takeaways
- ABC goes on and off YouTube TV depending on whether Google and Disney have a current licensing agreement in place.
- When ABC is unavailable, you cannot watch live broadcasts, recorded shows, or on-demand content from that channel on YouTube TV.
- These blackouts typically last weeks to months and affect all YouTube TV subscribers in the United States.
- Other streaming services with live TV, including Hulu with Live TV and traditional cable, have experienced similar disputes with Disney over ABC.
- You can check YouTube TV's channel list on their website or app to see whether ABC is currently available in your area.
How licensing agreements work between streaming services and networks
When a streaming service wants to carry a broadcast network like ABC, it must negotiate a licensing agreement with the network's owner. That agreement specifies how much the streaming service will pay per subscriber, what content can be shown, and how long the agreement lasts. For YouTube TV, these agreements typically run for one to three years before they must be renegotiated.
Disney sets the price it wants YouTube TV to pay for ABC, ESPN, and other Disney-owned channels as a package. YouTube TV decides whether that price is worth paying to its subscribers. If the two companies cannot agree, Disney instructs its channels to stop sending their signal to YouTube TV's servers, and the channels disappear from the service when ready.
This is different from how traditional cable works. Cable companies signed long-term contracts with Disney decades ago, and those contracts are much harder to change. Streaming services are newer, so their contracts are shorter and come up for renewal more often, which is why blackouts happen more frequently on YouTube TV than on cable.
What you can watch during an ABC blackout
If ABC is currently unavailable on YouTube TV, you can still watch other broadcast networks including NBC, CBS, and Fox. You can also watch cable channels that YouTube TV carries, such as CNN, MSNBC, and others depending on your plan. The blackout affects only ABC and any ABC-owned cable channels that Disney has also pulled, such as ESPN or FX.
For ABC-specific shows, you have other options. ABC makes many of its shows available on Hulu the day after they air, even if you do not have a Hulu subscription that includes live TV. Some ABC shows are also available on the ABC app or website if you sign in with a cable or streaming TV login. During a blackout, you can use these services to watch recorded episodes, though you will miss live broadcasts.
When ABC has been unavailable on YouTube TV
ABC was unavailable on YouTube TV from May 2021 to June 2021, lasting about three weeks. The next major blackout began in December 2022 and lasted until March 2023, affecting YouTube TV subscribers for three months. Between these blackouts, ABC was available on the service.
Before 2021, YouTube TV and Disney had reached agreements that kept ABC on the service continuously. The pattern of blackouts began when YouTube TV's contract with Disney came up for renewal in 2021, and the two companies have had difficulty reaching new terms since then.
There is no way to predict when the next blackout will occur or how long it will last. Both companies have incentives to reach a deal — YouTube TV wants to keep subscribers happy, and Disney wants the revenue from YouTube TV — but neither company has publicly committed to a timeline for resolution.
Checking whether ABC is available right now
To see if ABC is currently on YouTube TV, open the YouTube TV app or website and look at the channel list. If ABC appears in the list, it is available in your area. If it does not appear, a blackout is in effect.
You can also search for "ABC" in the YouTube TV search bar. If the channel is available, search results will show ABC programs and the option to tune to the live channel. If ABC is blacked out, the search will show no results for ABC content.
YouTube TV does not send notifications when channels are added or removed, so checking the channel list yourself is the most reliable way to know the current status. You can also check YouTube TV's social media accounts or news articles about YouTube TV to see if a blackout has been announced.
Why YouTube TV does not may provide ABC will stay available
YouTube TV's terms of service state that channel availability can change at any time due to licensing agreements. This means YouTube TV is not promising that ABC will remain on the service. When you pay for YouTube TV, you are paying for access to whatever channels YouTube TV currently has licensed, not for a may provide that specific channels will always be there.
This is different from traditional cable, where channels are more stable because contracts are longer. On YouTube TV, channels can disappear with little notice if a licensing agreement expires or is not renewed. YouTube TV does offer a refund or credit if a major network becomes unavailable, but only in some cases and only if you request it.
If ABC being available is important to you, you may want to consider a service that currently has a long-term agreement with Disney, such as traditional cable or Hulu with Live TV. However, those services have also experienced blackouts with Disney in the past, so no streaming or cable service can may provide ABC will always be available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will ABC come back to YouTube TV?
ABC has returned to YouTube TV after each previous blackout, so it is likely to return again. However, there is no set date for when a new agreement will be reached. The timing depends on negotiations between Google and Disney, which can take weeks or months.
Can I get a refund if ABC is not available?
YouTube TV offers a refund or service credit if a major network is unavailable for an extended period, but you must request it. Contact YouTube TV customer service to ask about a refund during an ABC blackout. The amount and terms vary depending on how long the blackout lasts.
Does ABC being unavailable affect other Disney channels?
When ABC is blacked out, other Disney-owned channels like ESPN and FX may also be unavailable, depending on what Disney included in the licensing dispute. During the 2022–2023 blackout, ESPN was also pulled from YouTube TV. Check your channel list to see which channels are affected.
Can I watch ABC shows on other platforms during a blackout?
Yes. ABC shows are usually available on Hulu the next day, and many are available on the ABC app or website if you have a cable or streaming TV login. You will miss live broadcasts during a blackout, but you can watch recorded episodes through these other services.
Why does this happen more often on YouTube TV than on cable?
YouTube TV's contracts with networks are shorter and come up for renewal more frequently than cable contracts. Cable companies signed long-term agreements with Disney decades ago, so their contracts are more stable. YouTube TV is newer, so it negotiates shorter agreements that must be renewed more often, leading to more blackouts.