Cord cutters who are subscribed to YouTube TV will be without ESPN, ABC, and other Disney networks if the two sides do not come to a new carriage agreement. With more than 10 million subscribers, YouTube TV has solidified itself as a leader in the live TV space, behind traditional providers like Charter (Spectrum) and Comcast. But with 20+ networks having gone dark on the platform, negotiations have stalled between the two sides, according to a report from Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.
Per the report, the two sides are “exchanging proposals, but remain far apart,” as another massive football weekend approaches with college football on Saturday and Monday Night Football next week. Though subscribers are receiving credits during the blackout, many are searching for how to cancel YouTube TV and scrambling for alternatives such as DIRECTV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, Sling TV, ESPN DTC, or a quality antenna.
According to the report, Disney wants fees and protections that YouTube TV is pushing back on, including disputes over per-subscriber pricing and “most-favored nation” language. When carriage talks do flip from deadlock to a deal, it often happens fast, but right now, sources describe “pessimism,” and fans are the ones who pay the price.
As both sides point fingers and blame the other, viewers are growing frustrated and are missing the shows that they love. A recent poll of over 300 Cord Cutters News found that an overwhelming majority of 82% blame Disney for the YouTube TV blackout, citing the company’s history of using blackout threats as a bargaining chip during negotiations.
Marquee Sports Highlight ESPN’s Weekend
Live sports are the major driver for most streamers, and ESPN is the undisputed leader with thousands of hours of content year-round. With YouTube TV subscribers left in the dark, other live TV platforms can capitalize on low-cost daily options or extend short-term discounts to entice new subscribers. Heading into this weekend, some of the major events on ESPN and ABC that YouTube TV subscribers won’t want to miss include:
College Football Saturday
- College GameDay — live from Lubbock, TX at 9:00 AM ET (also streaming on Disney+/ESPN platforms ).
- ABC Triple Header (Week 11 highlights)
- Noon ET: BYU at Texas Tech
- 3:30 PM ET: Texas A&M at Missouri
- 7:30 PM ET: LSU at Alabama.
ESPN has already taken moves to blunt the pain for fans as it said that it would make College GameDay available on the ESPN app (no subscription/authentication required) and stream the show on social platforms like Twitter (via The Pat McAfee Show), a tactic to reach viewers while carriage talks continue. This short-term play doesn’t replace full access to the day’s live games for those who rely on YouTube TV, but it gives subscribers some access.
LaLiga Spotlights Overseas Soccer Matches
If you’re mixing in international soccer this weekend, LaLiga serves up another stacked slate while Real Madrid extends their charge at the top. Real Madrid is coming off a 4–0 win that featured goals from Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, pushing them further to the top. The big overseas football weekend includes key LaLiga matchups on ESPN+:
- Atlético de Madrid vs. Levante — Saturday 12:30 PM ET.
- RCD Espanyol vs. Villarreal CF — Saturday 3:00 PM ET.
- Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Madrid — Sunday 10:15 AM ET.
- Valencia CF vs. Real Betis — Sunday 12:30 PM ET.
- Celta vs. FC Barcelona — Sunday 3:00 PM ET.
Monday Night Football: Eagles at Packers (Week 10) — Will A Deal Be Reached?
Next up on the negotiation clock is a Monday Night Football between two of the best teams in the NFC. Jalen Hurts and the reigning and defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles travel to face Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers at 8:00 PM ET.
NFL marquee games are the single biggest bargaining chip in carriage talks. Marchand’s piece asks the obvious question: can a high-profile MNF tilt the leverage and force a last-minute agreement? For now, sources say the sides remain separated. You can stream this game with NFL+, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DIRECTV, Sling TV, or the ESPN app.
Try These YouTube TV Alternatives This Weekend
YouTube TV subscribers who need their sports fix this weekend have a few options to stream events on ESPN and ABC without breaking the bank. No matter if you have a smart TV, tablet, Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, Apple TV, or any other compatible device, there are more options than ever to use during the Disney and YouTube TV staredown.
If you’re looking for a stopgap, many services offer free trials, or you can save on up to three months, depending on the platform. Sling’s Pass options offer the most flexibility, but you can find out which service works best for you below.
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.
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.
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. | or Bundle with ESPN Unlimited for $29.99 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.