Millions of YouTube TV subscribers were left frustrated Saturday as a standoff between Google and Disney knocked ESPN, ABC, and other Disney-owned networks off the popular streaming service — just as one of the biggest college football weekends of the season kicked off.
The dispute, centered on carriage fees and contract terms, left roughly 10 million subscribers without access to ESPN, ESPN2, the ACC Network, SEC Network, and FX, among others. While fans with antennas could still tune into ABC’s over-the-air broadcasts, those hoping to stream major conference games were forced to find alternate options or sign up for rival services such as Hulu + Live TV, Sling, or Fubo.
The blackout began Friday after a Thursday deadline passed without a new agreement. By Saturday morning, Disney’s entire network lineup — including all recordings and on-demand content — was unavailable on YouTube TV, marking the second consecutive day of disruption. For fans of the ACC, Big 12, and SEC, that meant no access to marquee matchups and limited viewing of ESPN’s signature “College GameDay,” which Disney streamed free online in an effort to reach stranded viewers.
Industry analysts noted that such disputes have become increasingly common as programmers and distributors battle over the economics of live sports in the streaming era. Disney, which owns ESPN, has used high-profile sporting events to apply pressure in negotiations before. At the start of the 2024 college football season, its channels were off DirecTV for nearly two weeks.
Saturday’s blackout not only impacted college football but could spill over to the NFL if an agreement isn’t reached soon. Disney’s “Monday Night Football” simulcast on ABC could be affected when the Arizona Cardinals face the Dallas Cowboys, leaving some fans dependent on antennas or local affiliates.
The ACC, Big 12, and SEC all urged fans to contact YouTube TV directly, posting links encouraging them to demand the return of Disney’s networks or switch providers entirely.
With no resolution yet announced, YouTube TV subscribers remain in limbo — paying for a service missing some of the most-watched sports channels in America at one of the busiest times on the sports calendar.
Source: Yahoo!Sports