YouTube TV subscribers woke up to a major disruption on Friday, October 31, 2025—Disney-owned channels, including ESPN, ABC, FX, and National Geographic, have vanished from the platform overnight. The sudden blackout stems from a failed negotiation between Google’s live TV streaming service and The Walt Disney Company over licensing fees.
What Happened? The Breakdown of YouTube TV and Disney Talks
According to a statement released by YouTube TV on Thursday evening, talks with Disney collapsed just hours before a midnight deadline. “Despite our best efforts to reach a fair agreement, Disney has chosen to remove its channels from YouTube TV,” the company said .
Disney, on the other hand, accused YouTube TV of refusing to pay market-rate fees for its content. In its own statement, Disney emphasized that it has successfully reached agreements with other major providers like Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, and FuboTV—implying YouTube TV is the outlier .
Which Channels Are Affected?
The blackout impacts a wide array of popular networks under the Disney umbrella. Subscribers have lost access to:
- ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ESPN Deportes
- ABC (including local affiliates in many markets)
- Disney Channel and Disney Junior
- FX and FXX
- National Geographic and Nat Geo Wild
- Freeform
For sports fans, the loss of ESPN is especially jarring—coming just as the college football season heats up and the NBA tips off its 2025–26 campaign.
What This Means for Subscribers
YouTube TV currently serves over 7 million households in the U.S. Many of these users rely on the service as their primary source for live sports and news. With ABC gone, local news and popular shows like Grey’s Anatomy and The Bachelor are no longer available. Parents are also losing access to children’s programming on Disney Channel.
YouTube TV has assured customers they will not be charged extra during the blackout and encouraged them to explore alternative ways to watch Disney content, such as through the ESPN and ABC apps—though these often require separate TV provider authentication.
How Long Will the Blackout Last?
There’s no clear end in sight. Past disputes between Disney and streaming platforms have lasted anywhere from a few days to several weeks. In 2023, a similar standoff with Roku lasted 10 days before a deal was reached.
Industry analysts suggest Disney is using this moment to push for higher fees amid declining linear TV revenues and growing investment in its own streaming ecosystem, including Hulu and Disney+.
Alternatives for Viewers
If you’re a YouTube TV subscriber looking to keep watching ESPN or ABC, here are a few options:
| Service | Includes Disney/ESPN? | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hulu + Live TV | Yes | $76.99 |
| DirecTV Stream | Yes | $79.99+ |
| FuboTV | Yes | $84.99+ |
| Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extra) | Partial (ESPN only) | $50+ |
However, switching services mid-contract may incur fees or require new equipment.
