ABC's Status on YouTube TV Right Now
ABC is not currently on YouTube TV. The network was removed in December 2022 after a contract dispute between YouTube TV and Disney, which owns ABC. The two sides have not reached a new agreement, and there is no announced date for ABC's return.
YouTube TV subscribers lost access to ABC, ESPN, and other Disney-owned channels during that dispute. ESPN returned to the service in March 2023, but ABC and Disney Channel remained off the platform. As of now, ABC continues to be unavailable on YouTube TV, and the situation has not changed for several months.
Key Takeaways
- ABC has been off YouTube TV since December 2022 due to a contract disagreement between YouTube TV and Disney.
- ESPN returned to YouTube TV in March 2023, but ABC did not come back with it, suggesting separate negotiations.
- YouTube TV subscribers can watch ABC content through the ABC app or website if they have a cable login from another provider.
- If ABC's absence affects your viewing, you may want to check whether another streaming service or cable provider carries the channels you need most.
Why ABC Left YouTube TV
Disney and YouTube TV disagreed over the price YouTube TV would pay to carry Disney's channels. YouTube TV wanted to keep its subscription price low, while Disney pushed for higher fees. When they could not reach a deal, Disney removed ABC, ESPN, and other channels from the service on December 8, 2022.
This type of dispute happens regularly in streaming. Networks and streaming services negotiate contracts every few years, and sometimes those talks break down. The public sees this as channels disappearing or reappearing without warning. YouTube TV and other services have experienced similar removals with other networks, including Fox and Paramount.
What Happened When ESPN Came Back
ESPN returned to YouTube TV on March 18, 2023, after a new contract was signed. However, ABC and Disney Channel did not return at the same time. This suggests that YouTube TV and Disney negotiated separate deals for different channels, or that the two sides reached agreement on ESPN but remained at odds over ABC's terms.
The fact that ESPN came back without ABC is important: it shows that Disney is willing to make deals with YouTube TV, but the two companies have not yet agreed on what ABC should cost. Whether they eventually do depends on whether both sides move closer to the same price point.
How to Watch ABC Without YouTube TV
If you need to watch ABC while it is off YouTube TV, you have several options. The ABC app and ABC.com let you stream ABC shows for free, but you need to log in with a cable or streaming account from another provider. This works if you have a cable subscription, Hulu with Live TV, or another service that carries ABC.
You can also watch ABC through Hulu with Live TV, which includes live ABC broadcasts and costs more than YouTube TV but includes other channels YouTube TV does not carry. Sling TV and FuboTV also carry ABC, though each has different channel lineups and pricing. If you only want to watch specific ABC shows, many are available the next day on Hulu (the on-demand service, not the live TV version).
Whether Other Streaming Services Have ABC
ABC is available on several other live TV streaming services. Hulu with Live TV includes ABC in its base package. FuboTV carries ABC in most markets. Sling TV includes ABC in its Orange package. YouTube TV's main competitors — Hulu with Live TV and FuboTV — both have ABC, which is one reason some people switch when ABC disappears from YouTube TV.
If you are comparing services to replace YouTube TV, check whether ABC is available in your specific market, because live TV streaming services do not carry every channel in every location. You can enter your zip code on each service's website to see what channels are available where you live.
Possibility of ABC Returning to YouTube TV
ABC could return to YouTube TV if YouTube TV and Disney reach a new contract agreement. This has happened before with other networks. However, there is no public timeline or announcement suggesting this is close to happening. Both companies have been quiet about ongoing negotiations, which usually means talks are either stalled or moving slowly.
Contract disputes in streaming often take months or years to resolve. YouTube TV and Disney have shown they can make deals — ESPN's return proves that — but they have not yet found terms for ABC that both sides accept. Whether they do depends on whether YouTube TV is willing to pay what Disney is asking, and whether Disney is willing to accept less than it wants.
What to Do If You Need ABC
If ABC is a channel you watch regularly, you have three main paths. First, you can switch to a different live TV streaming service that carries ABC, such as Hulu with Live TV or FuboTV. Second, you can keep YouTube TV and watch ABC through the ABC app or website using a cable login from another source. Third, you can wait and check back periodically to see whether ABC has returned to YouTube TV.
Before switching services, compare the total cost and channel lineup of each option. Hulu with Live TV costs more than YouTube TV but includes ABC and other channels. FuboTV has a different mix of sports and entertainment channels. YouTube TV may still be the better choice for you even without ABC, depending on which other channels matter most to your household.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did ABC leave YouTube TV?
ABC was removed from YouTube TV on December 8, 2022, as part of a contract dispute between YouTube TV and Disney. The removal also included ESPN and other Disney-owned channels, though ESPN returned in March 2023.
Can I watch ABC shows on YouTube TV through the ABC app?
No. The ABC app requires a cable or streaming login to watch live or recent episodes. YouTube TV does not count as a valid login for the ABC app because ABC is not on YouTube TV. You would need a cable subscription or a login from another streaming service that carries ABC.
Is there any news about ABC coming back to YouTube TV?
There is no official announcement from YouTube TV or Disney about ABC returning. Both companies have remained quiet about negotiations. ESPN's return in March 2023 showed the two can make deals, but ABC has not followed, suggesting the terms remain unsettled.
Which streaming services have ABC right now?
ABC is available on Hulu with Live TV, FuboTV, Sling TV (Orange package), and traditional cable. Availability varies by location, so check your zip code on each service's website to confirm ABC is available in your area before subscribing.
Should I switch from YouTube TV because ABC is gone?
That depends on how often you watch ABC and how much you value YouTube TV's other channels. If ABC is essential to you, Hulu with Live TV or FuboTV may be better choices. If you rarely watch ABC, YouTube TV may still offer better value for the channels you do watch regularly.