YouTube Could Lose ESPN, Disney Channels On October 30 Due to Carriage Fight

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Follow me on X.

YouTube TV is warning subscribers that it could lose all Disney-owned channels, including ESPN and ABC affiliates, on October 30, 2025 due to a carriage dispute between the companies.

“Our current agreement with Disney is approaching its renewal date, and we will not agree to terms that disadvantage our members while benefiting Disney’s own live TV products,” YouTube states at its web site. “If we’re unable to reach a fair deal by Thursday, October 30, their content, including channels like ABC, ESPN, and any library recordings from these networks, will be removed from YouTube TV.”

YouTube TV said that if a blackout occurs and Disney programming “becomes unavailable for an extended period of time, we’ll offer our subscribers a $20 credit.”

Disney, which has been running an on-screen message alerting YouTube TV viewers of the possible blackout, noted in a statement that the streaming service nearly lost Fox channels in a separate dispute earlier this year as well as engaged in other carriage scraps.

“For the fourth time in three months, Google’s YouTube TV is putting their subscribers at risk of losing the most valuable networks they signed up for,” Disney said. “This is the latest example of Google exploiting its position at the expense of their own customers. We invest significantly in our content and expect our partners to pay fair rates that recognize that value. If we don’t reach a fair deal soon, YouTube TV customers will lose access to ESPN and ABC, and all our marquee programming including the NFL, college football, NBA and NHL seasons and so much more.”

The two companies are fighting over how much YouTube TV should pay to carry the Disney channels as well as other issues such as whether YouTube TV subscribers should get free and full access to the new ESPN Unlimited app. DIRECTV, Verizon, Hulu Live, Spectrum TV and Fubo subscribers now get free access to the entire ESPN app including ESPN+.

YouTube TV said the following channels could be lost if the two sides do not reach a new agreement:

• ABC
• ESPN
• ESPN2
• Freeform
• FX
• FXX
• Disney Junior
• SEC Network
• Nat Geo
• Nat Geo Wild

• Disney Channel
• ESPNU
• FXM
• ABC News Live
• ACC Network
• Disney XD
• Localish
• ESPNews
• ESPN Deportes (Spanish Plan)
• Baby TV Español (Spanish Plan)
• Nat Geo Mundo (Spanish Plan)

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