YouTube TV Reaches New Long-Term Deal With Disney, Restores ABC and ESPN for Millions of Viewers
YouTube TV and Disney have signed a multi-year deal to restore ABC, ESPN, and all Disney-owned networks after a tense blackout. The deal resolves a dispute that had left nearly 10 million YouTube TV customers without access to some of the most-watched live TV channels since late October, frustrating sports and entertainment fans during one of the busiest seasons.
Disney announced the return of ESPN, local ABC stations, Disney-branded channels, Freeform, FX Networks, and National Geographic to YouTube TV. Members can watch live sports, primetime scripted shows, family content, and national news two weeks later. Reactivating the channels and expanding YouTube TV customers’ access changes how major media companies approach streaming partnerships.
Updated deal gives YouTube TV subscribers ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer Unlimited Plan for free. ESPN wants to offer more non-cable content. ESPN will stream live, on-demand, and exclusive content on YouTube TV. This offering connects current viewing habits to the next phase of sports streaming, say companies.
Some YouTube TV tiers offer ESPN, Disney+, and Hulu. This lets customers customize entertainment bundles and shows major streaming brands working together as competition heats up. Disney wants to simplify streaming and increase cross-platform engagement.
Disney Entertainment and ESPN executives said the updated partnership shows their dedication to viewers worldwide. Disney’s content is becoming more valuable, and the new deal gives YouTube TV customers more options as viewership shifts to streaming. Fans can watch college football and popular primetime shows again.
This standoff ends as streaming services and media companies rethink content distribution in a fast-changing market. The return of essential channels and free sports and entertainment benefit YouTube TV subscribers immediately. The agreement shifts companies toward flexible, future-focused streaming partnerships to engage viewers across platforms.
Sources
Disney announcement
Competitor news report
Industry statements regarding the new agreement
