After more than two weeks of disruption, YouTube TV and The Walt Disney Company have finalized a new multi-year distribution agreement, officially ending the blackout that removed ESPN, ABC, Disney Channel, FX, Freeform, National Geographic, and additional Disney-owned networks from YouTube TV.
The resolution comes after a tense standoff caused by a breakdown in licensing negotiations. During the blackout, millions of YouTube TV subscribers lost access to major sports broadcasts and popular entertainment programming — including college football, Monday Night Football, NBA matchups, and major fall premieres.
With the new deal now in place, all Disney-owned networks have been restored, and subscribers can resume watching live channels, on-demand content, and DVR recordings as they normally would.
What Was Affected?
The dispute impacted the following major networks:
- ABC
- ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews
- SEC Network
- ACC Network
- Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior
- FX, FXX, FXM
- Freeform
- National Geographic & Nat Geo Wild
All have now returned to YouTube TV.
Why Did the Blackout Happen?
The outage followed a failed renewal negotiation between Disney and YouTube TV. Without an active deal, YouTube TV legally could not carry Disney’s channels, triggering a blackout that lasted more than two weeks — one of the longest such disputes in recent years.
The two companies ultimately reached an agreement that allows all Disney-owned channels to remain on YouTube TV.
As part of the new terms, YouTube TV subscribers will also gain expanded access to ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer platform at no additional cost (rollout details coming soon).
Are the Channels Back Now?
Yes.
All Disney-owned channels are restored on YouTube TV as of the signing of the new agreement.
Some users may see channels return at slightly different times depending on device type or app refresh, but full service is expected across all accounts.
Updated Q&A for Readers
Are ESPN and ABC back on YouTube TV?
Yes. ESPN, ABC, FX, Freeform, Nat Geo, and all other Disney networks have been restored following the new agreement.
How long was the blackout?
The blackout lasted a little over two weeks before both companies reached a multi-year deal to restore service.
What does this mean for upcoming sports coverage?
Fans can once again watch:
- College football
- NFL Monday Night Football
- NBA
- College basketball
- UFC, Top Rank Boxing, and more
All ESPN programming is fully accessible again on YouTube TV.
Do I need to do anything to get the channels back?
No. Channels will automatically reappear in your lineup.
If they don’t show up immediately, closing and reopening the YouTube TV app usually resolves the issue.
What if I switched services during the blackout?
If you temporarily subscribed to another service (like Hulu + Live TV, Sling, Fubo, or DirecTV Stream), you can cancel at any time — ESPN and Disney channels are fully functional on YouTube TV again.
Where can I get more information about the deal?
Disney and YouTube TV both have updates available:
- Disney’s info site: KeepMyNetworks.com
- YouTube TV’s official support page (updates on channel restoration)
- ESPN Support Hub for streaming, app help, and alternate access options
