DIRECTV Vs. Disney: Is YouTube TV a Good ESPN Alternative?

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow on X.
Former editor of Satellite DIRECT magazine. Reported on DIRECTV for 30 years.

TV Answer Man, I read your article about an alternative to get ESPN if you have DIRECTV with the Disney blackout. But what about YouTube TV? You didn’t mention them. — Shelley, Duluth, Minnesota.

Shelley, you’re right. In my article yesterday on possible alternatives to get ESPN if you lost the Disney channels on DIRECTV, I recommended Fubo because it now offers the first month for $30 off. That would bring the Fubo base price to $49.99 for the first month.

I also noted that Sling TV, which also has ESPN in its Orange plan, offers the first month for just $20. But I said Fubo would be a better bet because it carries the majority of the regional sports networks, which would likely be an important factor for ESPN fans. Sling TV does not carry any RSNs (regional sports networks).

I didn’t mention YouTube TV as an alternative because the reader who asked the question said she wanted an alternative “quick and cheap.” Fubo and Sling TV now are offering less expensive plans than YouTube TV, which has a regular base price of $72.99 a month with $8 off each of the first four months.

But if you are looking for a permanent alternative to DIRECTV, I would put YouTube TV in the mix despite it costing more in the first month of service. YouTube TV has the exclusive rights to the NFL Sunday Ticket in addition to most national sports networks including ESPN. One downside, however, is that it carries just a handful of RSNs and it doesn’t have the MLB Network.

Still, YouTube TV’s otherwise strong lineup plus its innovative features such as Multiview (multiple displays on one screen) and Stats For Nerds make it one of the best live streaming services. It also has a free trial for new users.

Update: YouTube TV Comes to the Rescue

Shelley, hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!

Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.

The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.