YouTube TV blackout: Disney channels (ABC & ESPN) pulled — how to watch tonight’s games

As of midnight on Oct. 30, Disney has pulled its channels — including ABC and ESPN — from YouTube TV after the two companies failed to agree on new carriage terms. The blackout is ongoing and is already affecting major live programming: college football and several NBA games are unavailable to YouTube TV subscribers.

YouTube TV has declined Disney’s request for a temporary 24‑hour restoration, and its customer credit offer has varied (some users report a $20/month credit while others saw $10). If you don’t want to miss tonight’s games, here are alternative ways to watch.

Games impacted this week (examples)

• NBA (Nov. 5): Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New York Knicks (ESPN); San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers (ESPN)
• College football (selected upcoming): Multiple games across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU throughout the week and weekend — check local listings for details.

Quick viewing alternatives

• Sling TV day passes: Sling offers day/week passes (Sling Orange day pass ~$5) that give short‑term access to ESPN — useful for catching a single game without a subscription.
• Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream: These live TV services include Disney‑owned channels and can act as a full replacement while the dispute continues. Many offer free trials or promotional credits.
• Local ABC affiliates & apps: Some local ABC stations stream newscasts and select programming via their apps or The Roku Channel — check your station’s offerings for free local content.
• Over‑the‑air antenna: If you’re within broadcast range, an OTA antenna can give you ABC and other local channels for free — plug your ZIP code into antennaweb.org to see coverage.

How to choose the best option

• Need just one game? Try Sling day passes for immediate, low‑cost access to ESPN channels.
• Want a longer‑term replacement? Compare Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and DirecTV for channel lineups and trial offers.
• Care about local news or ABC programming? Check your local station apps or consider an inexpensive OTA antenna.

All of these services typically offer month‑to‑month subscriptions, so you can pause or cancel as needed while negotiations continue between YouTube TV and Disney. Keep an eye on official updates from both companies for restoration timelines and final credit policies.

For more background and ongoing updates, see the original report (opens in a new tab): Engadget — YouTube TV blackout.

Discussion: Which workaround will you use to watch the games — Sling day pass, another live TV service, or an antenna? Or will you wait it out?