Over this past weekend, millions of YouTube TV subscribers woke up to the harsh reality that ESPN, ABC, and other Disney-owned channels were missing from their channel lineup. No local news, college sports, network programming, as nearly 20 channels went dark as Disney and Google fight during a high-stakes carriage battle.
Reports have indicated that Disney has been “unnecessarily aggressive” with YouTube TV, as negotiations have broken down over packaging and fees. With nearly 10 million subscribers in the dark while the blackout drags on, YouTube TV has offered credits in the meantime, but viewers are scrambling for quick alternatives.
Sling TV’s Flexible + Cheap Alternative
Starting at $4.99, one of the most eye-catching options in the marketplace is Sling TV’s new short-term Day, Weekend, and Week Passes. The low-cost, no-commitment passes give you Sling Orange (including ESPN) for 24 hours, a weekend, or seven days, but the innovative model hasn’t gone unchallenged.
Disney has sued Sling over those passes, alleging that they breach the companies’ licensing contract. Sling has vowed to fight the lawsuit, alleging Disney’s lawsuit is meritless, as the streamer looks to offer flexible options that meet viewers on their schedule. Though the legal dispute is material and could change how the passes work or whether Disney channels remain available via these short-term options, in the meantime, Sling’s passes are live and widely available.
So while the legal dust settles, here’s why Sling’s passes are still a smart, affordable play for YouTube TV customers who want to watch big events and short sports runs without a monthly commitment.
What is a Sling TV Pass
Sling TV Passes are for cord-cutters who enjoy the freedom and flexibility of switching services without a month-long stay, or just want a dramatically lower cost for single-event viewing. They’re available in three micro-subscription options, making it a cost-effective way to watch 32+ options in the Sling Orange lineup.
The package features a blend of Disney-owned networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Freeform, and Disney Channel, with other top networks: AMC, CNN, TNT, Food Network, truTV, TBS, Comedy Central, BET, and more. Whether you want to watch ESPN for a single game (think Monday Night Football), a college football Saturday, a premiering show, or a brief sports run, Passes are a short-term fix. The basic options are:
- Day Pass — 24 hours of Sling Orange (ESPN included) starting at $4.99.
- Weekend Pass — access from Friday through Sunday (currently starting around $9.99).
- Week Pass — seven days of Sling Orange access (around $14.99).
Beyond the base package of live channels, during your subscription period, you can record with up to 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage and even more on-demand content and 600+ always-on channels with Sling Freestream.
With the Pass options, you can customize your lineup with Sling’s Extra Packs of add-ons for $1 each with the Sling Day Pass, $2 with the Weekend Pass, and $3 with the Week Pass. Available add-ons include Sports Extra, Entertainment Extra, Kids Extra, News Extra, Lifestyle Extra, Hollywood Extra, and Heartland Extra.
How Sling TV Stacks Up for YouTube TV Subscribers
Since YouTube TV is offering subscribers a $20 credit if the Disney dispute drags out, Sling Passes are an ideal solution during the blackout. If you’re a YouTube TV subscriber and you’re trying to avoid the push towards Disney-owned streaming apps like Hulu + Live TV or purchasing an ESPN direct-to-consumer subscription, here’s why Sling TV could be a good stopgap:
- Cost: A $4.99 Day Pass is far cheaper than paying for a full month of another live-TV service. If you’re grabbing Monday Night Football or a single college-football day, you save big.
- No long-term switching required: Keep your YouTube TV account, and use Sling only when you need it — other live TV streaming services require full account migrations or higher monthly costs.
- Fast setup: Download the Sling app, buy a pass, and you’re ready — no long paperwork or bundled billing.
The $4.99 Fix: Cheap, Flexible Access is Just a Pass Away
In a competitive streaming market, Sling Passes are a pragmatic hedge for YouTube TV subscribers while Disney’s networks are blacked out. If you want to weigh out some of the other options, Disney, which recently closed the Fubo–Hulu merger, is also offering intro-friendly discounts for new subscribers across its streaming lineup.
YouTube TV subscribers who are considering switching their live TV provider can get $75 off the first three months of Hulu + Live. Sports fans who just want to watch the game can save over 44% off the first year of ESPN Unlimited (with Disney+ and Hulu included). Even new Fubo subscribers can get up to $30 off the first month after a free trial. Other major streamers like DIRECTV are offering first-month discounts after a free trial as well.
If you don’t want to migrate your entire streaming setup and prefer affordability, combined with the flexibility of daily, weekly, weekend, and traditional monthly options, then give Sling a try. For less than $5, a one-day pass is a quick fix and a far cheaper way to watch ESPN and other Disney-owned networks for event viewing while YouTube TV and Disney negotiate a new agreement.