YouTube TV and Disney Reach Deal, Ending Two-Week Blackout of ESPN, ABC

In a major development, YouTube TV and Disney have announced a new multiyear agreement, ending a two-week blackout of ESPN, ABC, and other Disney-owned networks on the streaming platform. The deal, reached on November 14, 2025, will see the full lineup of ESPN channels, including content from ESPN Unlimited, made available to YouTube TV's base-plan subscribers at no extra cost by the end of 2026.

Additionally, the agreement allows YouTube TV to include the Disney+ and Hulu bundle as part of "select YouTube offerings." The companies have also agreed to collaborate on the launch of genre-specific programming packages on the streaming service in the future.

The dispute between the two media giants had led to the removal of Disney's networks from YouTube TV on October 30, 2025, just before a busy college football weekend. This caused significant disruption for many subscribers, with 24% reporting they had canceled or intended to cancel their accounts due to the blackout. The resolution of the standoff is a relief for fans who can now access their favorite sports and entertainment content on the platform.

Both companies have expressed satisfaction with the new deal, which they say recognizes the "tremendous value of Disney's programming" and provides YouTube TV subscribers with more flexibility and choice. The agreement supersedes the previous distribution deal signed in December 2021, which had also been preceded by a brief blackout.