Millions of YouTube TV subscribers woke up to missing channels this week after the live TV streamer pulled Disney-owned networks—including ABC and ESPN—when a carriage deal expired without a new agreement. The blackout began roughly 30 minutes before the deadline at midnight ET, shutting off access to major broadcast and sports programming as the two media giants remain at odds over renewal terms.
The dispute centers on pricing. Disney is seeking higher carriage fees for its portfolio, while Google, which operates YouTube TV, says those increases would push subscriber costs even higher. With negotiations stalled, Disney’s linear networks were removed from YouTube TV late October 30 (9 p.m. PT) / early October 31 (12 a.m. ET), with some users reporting outages even earlier than the official cutoff.
What’s Affected By The Disney Blackout On YouTube TV
The interruption impacts local ABC stations as well as ESPN networks, disrupting marquee live sports and primetime TV across the platform. NFL, NBA, NHL, and college football broadcasts on ESPN are unavailable, and ABC’s local news, scripted series, and special events are off the service for the duration of the standoff.
DVR recordings tied to the affected channels are also impacted. YouTube TV confirmed that subscribers won’t be able to view DVR content from Disney-owned networks while those channels remain off the platform, a major blow for viewers who rely on the service’s unlimited cloud DVR to catch up on games and shows.
YouTube TV’s base plan currently costs $82.99 per month. The company says it will offer a one-time $20 credit if the blackout persists for an extended period, an attempt to offset the immediate loss of channels that anchor much of the service’s live sports and broadcast offering.
What YouTube TV & Disney Are Saying
In a statement, a YouTube spokesperson said Disney used "the threat of a blackout" as leverage to secure terms that would increase prices for customers. "Last week Disney used the threat of a blackout on YouTube TV as a negotiating tactic to force deal terms that would raise prices on our customers," the spokesperson said. "They’re now following through on that threat, suspending their content on YouTube TV. This decision directly harms our subscribers."
YouTube TV added that it’s pushing for what it calls a fair renewal that keeps prices in check. "We know this is a frustrating and disappointing outcome for our subscribers and we continue to urge Disney to work with us constructively to reach a fair agreement that restores their networks to YouTube TV," the company said, reiterating its plan to offer a $20 credit if the outage lasts.
Disney notified viewers on October 23 that a carriage dispute could result in its networks being removed from YouTube TV, signaling a potential blackout ahead of the renewal deadline. As of publication, the companies have not announced a timeline for resolution.
Why This Matters For Cord-Cutters
YouTube TV is the largest internet-TV bundle in the United States, with more than 10 million subscribers. Losing Disney’s highly watched channels immediately reshapes the service’s value proposition, especially for sports fans who count on ESPN for marquee NFL, NBA, NHL, and college football coverage throughout the fall. ABC’s local and primetime programming is also a key pillar for many households that have ditched traditional cable.
While YouTube TV emphasizes keeping prices stable, carriage disputes across the streaming TV landscape have become more frequent as programmers seek higher fees and distributors push back to control costs. The result is a familiar pain point for cord-cutters: sudden channel blackouts that interrupt live events and appointment viewing with little notice.
Competitors, including Hulu + Live TV and Fubo, continue to carry Disney networks at the time of writing, positioning them as alternatives for viewers who consider ESPN and ABC essential. That said, switching services can be inconvenient, and monthly rates for live TV bundles remain a key factor for subscribers weighing their options.
What Subscribers Can Do Now
During the blackout, YouTube TV subscribers will not have access to Disney-owned channels or related DVR recordings on the platform. If ABC is your primary concern, over-the-air broadcasts may still be available in many markets with a digital antenna, though reception varies by location. For sports on ESPN, viewers may need to use an alternative provider that currently carries the networks or wait for the companies to reach a new deal.
In the meantime, YouTube TV says it’s continuing negotiations and will communicate updates directly to subscribers if there’s movement toward a resolution. Should the outage persist, affected customers can expect the promised one-time $20 credit applied to their accounts, according to the company.
Channel blackouts are rarely permanent, but even brief disruptions can upend weekend sports schedules and weekday routines. With a renewal standoff hinging on carriage fees, the pressure is on both sides to find common ground that restores ABC, ESPN, and other Disney networks to YouTube TV without pushing monthly prices higher in the process.
