YouTube TV ESPN ABC Blackout

YouTube TV ESPN ABC Blackout comes at the worst possible time. NFL & College Football is heating up, but Disney is cooling down YouTube TV customers with a contract dispute. ESPN, ABC, FX and 20+ Disney channels are dark on YouTube TV. See YouTube TV’s explanation of the dispute.

Both YouTube TV and Disney have issued public statements about the dispute. Blackouts are happening more and more frequently due to licensing fee disputes. There are multiple alternatives other than YouTube TV to watch ABC, ESPN and other Disney channels.

Keep reading below for YouTube TV alternatives to get Disney channels like ESPN & ABC!

Why Disney channels ESPN, ABC, etc got blacked out on YouTube TV?

TV price increases and blackouts on Comcast Xfinity, Dish and DirecTV happen every few months as contract renewals happen. While this happens less on Live streaming providers like YouTube TV, they are not immune to rising TV content costs.

The streaming service providers (ex. YouTube TV) license the content from content owners (ex. Disney, NBCUniversal, etc.). Google’s YouTube TV had a similar dispute with NBCUniversal , Paramount and Telemundo earlier this year. The dispute isn’t about whether to include these channels, but how much the service providers should pay for that content. The most expensive content is local channels ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, etc. and sports channels like ESPN.

IMPORTANT! A major distinction with the YouTube TV blackout is that they will credit customers while ESPN & ABC are offline. Whereas cable and satellite companies lock you into a contract and rarely credit you. Cord Cutter’s alike know this and love that they have the choice to switch providers. Services are month to month, and no contracts!

What Disney channels did YouTube TV lose?

20+ channels in total were blacked out on YouTube TV. Top channels like local Denver Channel 7 ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, SEC, ACC, FX, FXX, FXM, Disney Junior, Freeform, Nat Geo and more.

Read the October 31 updated statement from YouTube TV and see all the channels blacked out.

YouTube TV vs. Disney/ESPN/ABC – what to do next?

OPTION 1: For YouTube TV customers that are not techy and ok paying $83/mo, we recommend waiting out the dispute. As in past disputes, we anticipate a resolution will happen at some point. Unfortunately, we have no control on the outcome. Sitting tight saves the non-techy subscriber switching costs, adding another streaming service, and further complicating their stack of streaming subscriptions. Keep in mind TV price increases for YouTube TV are surely coming, and it will likely be $100/mo with tax.

OPTION 2: There are better TV options for people that are tired of YouTube TV’s blackouts and high monthly costs. If you dont watch 100 channels, there are newer TV options that are less expensive and even free live TV!

StreamWise Solutions does offer in person expert help to change services to something less expensive. We can also help you avoid stacking subscriptions to save money also.

Alternatives to watch ESPN, ABC & Disney channels without YouTube TV:

1. Get Denver Channel 7 ABC for FREE with a whole-home HD Antenna!
   The best alternative to YouTube TV, or any live streaming service with locals, is to install a whole-home HD antenna. In the Denver metro area this means 80+ local channels, in HD, are free forever. The most expensive and popular channels the local networks, are the ones that spark disputes. With a properly configured HD antenna, local channels are totally FREE for life and NO blackouts ever per the FCC. Thus you could watch the most popular local networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC free forever!
   
2. Get ESPN, SEC, ACC, FX, Freeform, etc with live streaming micro bundles for less! If you get ABC via antenna or don’t watch ABC, another good option is Sling TV or DirecTV Genre Packs. They are both month-to-month with no long term contracts. Plus they will always be less expensive than YouTube TV because they do not include local channels.
   
3. Download, Install and sign up for ESPN a la carte. Get the ESPN app for Live ESPN, ESPN2, SEC, ACC, Big 12, etc. Its a little pricey at $30/mo, but the new ESPN app might be a good option for a few months.
   
4. Download, Install and sign up for Disney+ This is less about live content and more about on demand. You can get On Demand Disney+ content that will have some on demand content from Disney, Nat Geo, etc.
   
5. Download, Install and sign up for basic Hulu Similar to Disney+, with less live content. You can get On Demand Hulu content that will have some on demand content from ABC, FX, etc.
   
6. Download, Install and Sign Up for DirecTV Stream. DirecTV Stream Choice is your best option if you need lots of channels. If you want all of the same channels as YouTube TV all in one app, Live, On Demand and DVR, this service is a direct competitors to YouTube TV. They even offer Altitude Sports options too!

How To Cancel YouTube TV

If you subscribe to YouTube TV for $83/mo, they are your service provider. Only YouTube TV can cancel your service – contact YouTube TV Support. Or click here to cancel your YouTube TV service.

What is StreamWise Solutions’ relationship to YouTube TV, Disney, ESPN & ABC?

None. StreamWise Solutions is a local Colorado based business with top expertise in cord-cutting, providing whole-home Wi-Fi & TV solutions. We have no direct relationship to Google, YouTube TV or Disney or any other content or services providers. Our mission has always been to remain a neutral, third-party to help consumers watch the TV they want.

We offer non biased expert advice to save the most money every month on TV. We charge no monthly rate and are not a service provider. This is why we cannot provide phone support for these services specifically. We do offer in person expert Support and Installation Services.

Need help? Don’t stress – call the experts.

Rather than stressing over which app to choose, which apps to install, and result in overlapping and over paying for streaming subscriptions. Trust the experts at StreamWise Solutions to help you choose the right TV solution for you instead of expensive cable, satellite or live TV streaming.