YouTube TV lost ESPN in September 2024, and as of now, the two sides have not reached a new deal
YouTube TV and ESPN's parent company Disney ended their carriage agreement in September 2024, which removed ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, and related channels from YouTube TV. Neither company has announced plans to restore the channels or a timeline for negotiations. This means if you watch YouTube TV, you cannot currently access ESPN's live sports, news, or original programming through that service.
The dispute centers on the cost Disney demands for ESPN and the bundle of channels it controls. YouTube TV has publicly stated that Disney's asking price is too high compared to what other streaming and cable providers pay. Disney has not lowered its price. Without movement from either side, there is no reason to expect ESPN to return soon.
Key Takeaways
- ESPN channels were removed from YouTube TV in September 2024 after contract talks between YouTube TV and Disney broke down.
- YouTube TV says Disney's price for ESPN is higher than what other providers pay, and Disney has not reduced its asking price.
- No public negotiations or timeline for a deal have been announced by either company.
- YouTube TV subscribers who want ESPN can add Hulu with ads (which includes ESPN) as a separate subscription, though this costs extra.
- Other streaming services like Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, and traditional cable still carry ESPN if you need live sports access.
Why YouTube TV and Disney stopped negotiating
YouTube TV and Disney were unable to agree on the price YouTube TV would pay to carry ESPN and Disney's other channels. YouTube TV is a streaming service that competes with cable, so it buys channel rights from networks the same way cable companies do. When those contracts expire, both sides must agree on a new price or the channels go dark.
YouTube TV has stated publicly that Disney's price for ESPN is significantly higher than what YouTube TV pays other networks for similar content, and higher than what cable and satellite providers pay Disney in some markets. Disney has not publicly explained its pricing but has maintained its position. This kind of standoff is common in the media industry—it happened between YouTube TV and other networks before—but it usually resolves within weeks or months. The ESPN dispute has lasted longer, which suggests the gap between the two sides is wide.
What YouTube TV subscribers lost
When the contract ended, YouTube TV subscribers lost access to ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3. These are the main channels where Disney airs live sports, including college football, college basketball, the NFL, NBA, and MLB games. YouTube TV subscribers also lost ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, and Longhorn Network—channels that carry college sports.
YouTube TV did not remove any other Disney-owned channels like ABC, Disney Channel, or FX. Only the ESPN family of networks was affected. If you subscribed to YouTube TV specifically to watch ESPN, you no longer have that option through YouTube TV alone.
How to watch ESPN if you use YouTube TV
YouTube TV offers a workaround: you can add Hulu with ads to your YouTube account for an additional monthly fee. Hulu with ads includes ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3. This means you would pay for YouTube TV plus a separate Hulu subscription to get ESPN back, which costs more than YouTube TV alone.
Alternatively, you can keep YouTube TV for other channels and subscribe to ESPN+ separately. ESPN+ is Disney's streaming service and includes some live sports, original shows, and archived games, but it does not include all the same live events that ESPN and ESPN2 broadcast on cable. ESPN+ is a different product with a different schedule, so check what sports you want to watch before assuming ESPN+ will have them.
If you want ESPN without paying extra, you would need to switch to a different live TV streaming service. Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV's competitors still carry ESPN as part of their base packages, though they may cost more or less than YouTube TV depending on which channels you need.
Signals that might indicate a deal is coming
In past disputes between YouTube TV and other networks, deals were reached when one side made a significant move—either the network lowered its price, YouTube TV agreed to pay more, or both sides compromised. Watch for announcements from either YouTube or Disney about negotiations resuming. These are usually announced in press releases or statements to news outlets, not buried in terms of service updates.
If you see YouTube TV or Disney announce that talks have restarted, that is often a sign a deal may be close. However, restarted talks do not may provide an agreement. The fact that no talks have been announced since September 2024 suggests neither side is currently moving toward a resolution.
What happened in past YouTube TV carriage disputes
YouTube TV has had several contract disputes with networks over the years. In 2022, YouTube TV and Roku (which owns The Roku Channel) had a dispute that lasted about a week before reaching a deal. In 2021, YouTube TV lost Fox, FS1, and other Fox-owned channels for about five days before a deal was struck. These disputes were resolved relatively quickly because the gap between the two sides was smaller.
The ESPN situation has lasted much longer, which suggests the disagreement over price is more fundamental. YouTube TV has also been more vocal about Disney's pricing being out of line with the market, which indicates the company is willing to hold firm rather than cave to Disney's demands. This kind of public positioning sometimes signals that a deal is unlikely unless one side significantly changes course.
Whether to stay with YouTube TV or switch
If ESPN is essential to you, switching to another live TV streaming service may make sense. Hulu Live TV, Sling TV (specifically the Sling Orange package), and YouTube TV's other competitors all carry ESPN as part of their standard offerings. Compare the total cost of each service—including any add-ons you need—against what you currently pay for YouTube TV.
If you watch YouTube TV for channels other than ESPN and can live without ESPN, staying put is a reasonable choice. You can always switch later if a deal is announced and ESPN returns. YouTube TV still carries ABC, which broadcasts some major sports events, so you are not completely cut off from live sports coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ESPN coming back to YouTube TV?
There is no announced timeline or confirmed deal. YouTube TV and Disney remain at odds over pricing. If a deal happens, both companies will announce it publicly. Until then, ESPN will not return to YouTube TV.
Can I watch ESPN games on YouTube TV through another app?
No. Even if you have an ESPN+ subscription or a cable login, YouTube TV does not include ESPN channels. You would need to watch ESPN through the ESPN app, ESPN.com, or another service that carries the channel.
Does YouTube TV still have any sports channels?
Yes. YouTube TV carries ABC, which broadcasts NFL, college football, and other sports. It also carries Fox, FS1, and regional sports networks in some markets. You just do not have access to ESPN-branded channels.
What is the difference between ESPN+ and ESPN on cable?
ESPN+ is a streaming service with some live games, original shows, and archives. ESPN and ESPN2 on cable broadcast the same major events but also carry more live sports throughout the day. They are not the same product, so check ESPN+'s schedule before assuming it has the games you want.
If I add Hulu to YouTube TV, will I get all the same ESPN content?
Hulu with ads includes ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, which gives you the same channels as cable. However, you are paying for two separate services instead of one, so your total bill will be higher than YouTube TV alone.