YouTube TV Begins Restoring ESPN After Historic Disney Deal
YouTube TV and Disney have reached a deal to bring ESPN and other Disney channels back to the platform, ending a blackout that had enraged many sports fans.
YouTube TV announced the agreement in a statement posted to X on the evening of November 14. That will be good news to sports fans who had chafed over not being able to watch Monday Night Football, college football and NBA games. Fans expressed anger for two weeks on social media, with the $20 credit offered by YouTube TV not placating many of them.
"We’re happy to share that we’ve reached a deal with Disney to bring their content back to YouTube TV. Subscribers should see channels including ABC, ESPN, and FX returning to their service over the course of the day. Thanks for your patience and for being a valued member," YouTube TV wrote. The post had 178,000 views in just over 30 minutes.
We’re happy to share that we’ve reached a deal with Disney to bring their content back to YouTube TV. Subscribers should see channels including ABC, ESPN, and FX returning to their service over the course of the day. Thanks for your patience and for being a valued member.
— YouTube TV (@YouTubeTV) November 15, 2025
Pat McAfee Wrote on X: 'We Have a Deal'
The blackout had proved a public relations headache for Disney with many fans unloading against the company and ESPN on social media. When Disney CEO Bob Iger appeared on ESPN's ManningCast and wasn't asked a single question about the impasse, it caused more fury.
HUGE NEWS
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 15, 2025
ESPN AND YOUTUBETV HAVE SHAKEN HANDS
We have a DEAL pic.twitter.com/VQH3Ameezb
ESPN PR also confirmed the deal on its X page on November 14, writing, "The Walt Disney Company announces multi-year distribution agreement with YouTube TV."
Wrote ESPN PR, "As part of the new deal, Disney's full suite of networks and stations - including ESPN and ABC - have already begun to be restored to YouTube TV subscribers."
Pat McAfee wrote on X, "HUGE NEWS ESPN AND YOUTUBETV HAVE SHAKEN HANDS We have a DEAL."
When Will Fans See Their Services Restored?
When will fans be able to watch ESPN and their favorite games again? That should happen soon. Fans can expect to see ESPN and other channels within the day, according to a statement from YouTube to CNBC.
"We’re happy to share that we’ve reached an agreement with Disney that preserves the value of our service for our subscribers and future flexibility in our offers,” YouTube said in a statement to CNBC. “Subscribers should see channels including ABC, ESPN and FX returning to their service over the course of the day, as well as any recordings that were previously in their Library. We apologize for the disruption and appreciate our subscribers’ patience as we negotiated on their behalf.”
The blackout lasted for about two weeks.
Fans Responded With Mixed Reactions on Social Media
Fans didn't let go of all of their anger in reacting to the news, although the reaction was mixed. "Oh we are so back (until the next time this happens)," wrote one person.
"You couldn't have waited until after the Dallas game? Was really looking forward to not watching them again," joked another person.
"Disney cutting deals with YouTube TV? Guess that means endless ESPN highlights without the cable drama. NFL Sundays just got a streaming glow-up—my remote's thrilled," another person wrote.