YouTube TV and Disney remain deadlocked in negotiations after their carriage deal expired, leaving YouTube TV subscribers suddenly without a slew of Disney-owned channels. Most notably, ESPN and ABC, along with networks such as FX, National Geographic, and Freeform, are blacked out during the dispute.
Now, many subscribers are searching for how to cancel YouTube TV after more than 20 channels went dark for its 9+ million subscribers. To help rectify the situation, YouTube TV did notify subscribers that it would issue a $20 credit if an agreement isn’t reached promptly.
The dispute centers on new packaging and pricing demands (including Disney’s push to embed an ESPN Unlimited product) and YouTube TV’s pushback against added fees and mandatory bundling. The blackout hit just as college football, the NBA, and NFL seasons ramped up, prompting many viewers to hunt for alternatives.
Below are the best alternatives for continuing to watch Disney-owned content, along with what each option actually delivers and the trade-offs to expect.
Hulu + Live TV — The Closest One-Stop Replacement
- Starting Price: First 3 Months for $64.99 per month ($89.99 per month after) | Save on 3 Months of Hulu + Live TV Today
- What you get: Hulu + Live TV, a Disney-owned streaming platform, features more than 95 live channels and carries the core Disney bundle. Disney-owned networks include ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, FX, National Geographic, Freeform, among others, and you have thousands of hours of on-demand content. Hulu + Live TV includes access to the ESPN app, the on-demand libraries of Hulu and Disney+, and unlimited DVR for no additional charge.
- Best for: Viewers who want the smallest disruption and prefer a single app for live Disney channels (ESPN, etc.) and on-demand Disney/Hulu/FX content.
DIRECTV Broad Channel Coverage, ESPN App, & Skinny Bundles
- Starting Price: Genre Packs $19.99 per month | Signature Streaming Packages: $49.99 first month ($89.99 per month after)
- Free Trial: Try DIRECTV for 5 Days Free Today
- What you get: DIRECTV carries the big Disney channels (ESPN suite, ABC, FX, Nat Geo, etc.), ESPN app, and has bundles that feature Disney+ and Hulu. It also offers strong local channel pickup in many areas, which helps if you need ABC-affiliate news and live sports. DIRECTV offers a more traditional cable-like package and channel lineup (Streaming Package with up to 150+ channels), but you can choose a skinny-bundle (Genre Package with up to 60+ channels) for a more personalized experience. Plus, it has a broad lineup of RSNs for local sports and an included unlimited DVR to record and rewatch your favorites.
- Best for: Viewers who prioritize dependable local channel access, Disney-owned networks and want a cable-like channel lineup.
Sling TV — Cheaper, More Flexible Option
- Starting Price: $4.99 (Day Pass), $9.99 (Weekend Pass), $14.99 (Week Pass), $45.99 (Monthly Pass), $115 (3-Month Prepay) | Save with Sling TV Today
- What you get: Sling offers a loaded slate of Disney-owned programming and flexible subscription options, ranging from daily to seasonal. The streamer offers ABC (in select markets), ESPN, FX, NatGeo, Freeform, and other networks (30–45+ channels), at various price points, with 50 hours of DVR included in each plan. Sling remains a lower-cost, customizable option if you only need sports plus select Disney channels and you can add unlimited DVR for $5 per month.
- Best for: Budget-minded viewers who want ESPN and other Disney-owned content with a lighter channel slate.
Fubo — Sports-Heavy, Now Closer to Hulu After the Merger
- Starting Price: Fubo Sports $45.99 for 1 month ($55.99 per month after) | Fubo Plans $54.99 for 1 month ($84.99 per month after) | Try Fubo for Free & Save Up to $30 on the First Month
- What you get: Fubo offers 470+ channels across its package, retains access to Disney content, and is a strong play for sports fans. It carries ESPN (including access to the ESPN app) and many national and local RSN sports feeds. The recent closure of the Fubo–Hulu transaction also reshapes the landscape by aligning Fubo and Hulu’s strengths and subscriber bases, which could affect distribution and bundle strategies moving forward. Plus, Fubo includes unlimited DVR with its skinny Sports + News bundle, as well as traditionally-loaded packages(Pro, Elite with Sports Plus).
- Best for: Sports fans who want wide live sports coverage and flexible streaming features. Though sports-oriented, entertainment channel mixes can differ from YouTube TV.
ESPN App — Includes ESPN Unlimited, ESPN Select & Direct Sports Access
- Starting Price: ESPN Unlimited ($29.99 per month) | ESPN Select ($12.99 per month)
- What you get: The ESPN app streams live ESPN channels and a lot of on-demand sports content, and you do need a pay-TV or streaming login to authenticate when you subscribe directly. The ESPN-centric product is a direct-to-consumer standalone sports package that gives fans all the sports they love during the YouTube TV blackout. The ESPN app is also available in bundle options: ESPN Unlimited, Disney+, and Hulu Bundle for $29.99 per month (includes live ESPN linear network feeds and WWE PLEs) or ESPN Select with Disney+, and Hulu Bundle for $19.99 per month (does not include live ESPN linear TV feeds or WWE PLEs.)
- Best for: Hardcore sports fans who primarily need ESPN live content, highlights, and WWE PLES.
Disney+ — Hulu & Disney library for Everything Non-Live with Select ESPN Live Events
- Starting Price: $12.99 per month Disney+, Hulu bundle) | Add HBO Max to the Bundle for $19.99 per month
- What you get: Disney+ remains the home for Hulu and the Disney on-demand catalog: Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, Disney and many National Geographic documentaries. It’s not a replacement for live sports or local ABC broadcasts, but it’s essential for streaming Disney’s movies, series and originals. Select ESPN live events do stream on the platform, but you can bundle with the above option to complete your sports fix. Additionally, if you enjoy premium content, HBO Max is available as a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu.
- Best for: On-demand viewers who want movies, originals, and documentary content, but not an answer for full live sports or local news coverage.
Which Networks Are Dark on YouTube TV
The above alternatives are important as the blackout removes or impacts access to major Disney-owned networks for YouTube TV subscribers. While talks between the two sides continue, depending on your market, YouTube TV subscribers are missing out on programming from the following networks:
- ABC (including local ABC stations nationwide)
- ABC News Live
- Disney Channel
- Disney Junior
- Disney XD
- ESPN
- ESPN2
- ESPNU
- ESPNEWS
- SEC Network
- ACC Network
- FX
- FXM (FX Movie Channel)
- FXX
- Freeform
- National Geographic
- Nat Geo Wild
- Nat Geo Mundo
- Localish
The Right YouTube TV Replacement
If YouTube TV and Disney can’t reach an agreement soon, you still have solid paths to keep watching Disney-owned content. Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo are the least disruptive for full access, while DIRECTV is reliable for RSNs and a cable-style option, and Sling TV can work if you want a cheaper, sports-focused, and flexible option.
Standalone streamers like the ESPN app (Unlimited and Select) target sports fans directly, while Disney+ (with Hulu) handles the on-demand catalog. Additionally, if it’s ABC you need right now, an over-the-air antenna will get you local broadcasts in most markets.
