NBA Fans Lose ESPN and ABC on YouTube TV After Contract Talks Collapse
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YouTube TV subscribers no longer have access to Disney-owned networks, including ESPN and ABC, after negotiations between Google and Disney ended without a new carriage agreement. The channels were removed from the live-streaming service on Friday, according to an email sent to customers.
“We will not agree to terms that disadvantage our members while benefiting Disney’s own live TV products,” YouTube TV told users, adding that Disney programming “will not be available on YouTube TV” until a deal is reached.
The blackout prevents viewers from watching ESPN telecasts, ABC weekend showcases, and potentially the NBA Finals on YouTube TV. Recordings from those networks stored in personal libraries are also inaccessible.
YouTube TV said it is “still working to bring Disney content back” but will issue a $20 credit to subscribers if the outage continues. The company pointed customers to ESPN’s direct-to-consumer option as an alternative for live sports.
The timing overlaps with the NBA’s recently launched media-rights agreement that features ESPN, NBC, and Amazon Prime. Games aired on NBC are unaffected.
The dispute echoes an ongoing regional blackout involving YouTube TV and FanDuel Sports, which has already limited local NBA broadcasts for many viewers.
A statement released by ESPN PR on Oct. 31, 2025, indicated that Disney and Google remain far apart on terms.
Source: Hoops Wire
