YouTube TV and Disney reach new deal—and yes, ESPN is back on YouTube TV. On November 14, 2025, Disney and Google’s live TV service announced a new carriage agreement restoring ABC, ESPN, FX, Freeform, National Geographic (NatGeo), SEC Network, ACC Network, and the rest of Disney’s portfolio after a blackout that began the night of October 30, 2025, and stretched for a little over two weeks.
In joint statements, Disney said its “full suite of networks and stations — including ESPN and ABC — have already begun to be restored to YouTube TV subscribers,” while YouTube told customers channels would return “over the course of the day,” apologizing for the disruption and thanking users for their “patience.” Disney Entertainment co-chairs Alan Bergman and Dana Walden and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro added that they were “pleased that our networks have been restored in time for fans to enjoy the many great programming options this weekend, including college football.”
What’s back, when it returns, and whether recordings are safe
Disney’s linear networks—ABC, ESPN, FX, Freeform, NatGeo, SEC Network, and ACC Network—are returning to YouTube TV lineups. YouTube said subscribers “should see channels including ABC, ESPN, and FX returning… over the course of the day, as well as any recordings that were previously in their Library.” That means cloud DVR items should repopulate as feeds come back online.
ESPN programming impacted during the blackout included college football, the start of college basketball, NHL games, and two Monday Night Football matchups: Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles. ABC’s sports slate also took a hit during the outage’s key weekends.
Price check and plan details
YouTube TV cost: at the time of the agreement, the base plan price is $82.99 per month. YouTube had previously offered affected subscribers a $20 credit during the disruption window. As part of the new pact, ESPN’s direct-to-consumer “Unlimited” experience is slated to be included for base plan subscribers by the end of 2026 at no additional cost—an integration that dovetails with broader Disney bundle options (Hulu and Disney+), plus genre add-ons, inside the service’s evolving TV deals menu.
Who’s involved (networks, execs, and what each side argued)
- The Walt Disney Company: Disney Entertainment co-chairs Alan Bergman and Dana Walden; ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro. Disney said the resolution “recognizes the tremendous value of Disney’s programming” and accused Google of refusing to pay fair rates and “using its market dominance to eliminate competition.”
- YouTube TV (Google): Said Disney’s initial terms were too costly and would mean “higher prices and fewer choices” for subscribers. YouTube apologized for the disruption and emphasized “future flexibility in our offers.”
- Channels affected: ABC, ESPN, FX, Freeform, National Geographic, SEC Network, ACC Network, plus related Disney networks and stations.
Timeline: from Oct. 30 blackout to Nov. 14 truce
- Oct. 30, 2025 (approx. 11:27 p.m. ET): Disney networks go dark on YouTube TV after talks lapse ahead of an 11:59 p.m. ET contract expiration.
- Nov. 9, 2025: YouTube TV offers a $20 credit if the outage continues “for an extended period of time.”
- Nov. 14, 2025: Disney and YouTube TV announce a multi‑year distribution agreement; channels begin restoration “over the course of the day.”
- By end of 2026: ESPN’s “Unlimited” experience promised to be available inside the base plan at no extra cost.
FAQ: Your quick answers
- Is ESPN back on YouTube TV? Yes—ESPN is back on YouTube TV and already restoring across markets.
- Is ABC back on YouTube TV? Yes—ABC is returning alongside Disney’s other networks.
- Did YouTube TV and Disney reach an agreement? Yes—the companies confirmed a new deal on November 14, 2025.
- When will ABC be back on YouTube TV? Restoration is rolling out “over the course of the day,” with recordings reappearing as feeds return.
- When will ESPN be back on YouTube TV? The same restoration window applies; full ESPN access resumes as feeds return.
- What about ESPN’s direct‑to‑consumer perks? ESPN’s “Unlimited” is slated to be included for base plan subscribers by the end of 2026 at no extra cost.
- What was the heart of the dispute? Per‑subscriber rates and packaging. Disney argued fair value; YouTube argued affordability and flexibility.
What the Disney–YouTube TV update signals next
This Disney/YouTube TV update reinforces how central live sports remain to virtual MVPDs. The blackout cut into college football and the NBA/NHL calendar and even clipped Monday Night Football—pressure points that often force movement in carriage disputes. If ESPN Unlimited lands in the base plan by 2026, expect fresh bundling experiments and renewed questions about how far YouTube TV/Disney packaging can push flexibility without hiking prices again.
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