Blackout Looms of ESPN on YouTubeTV

[FloridaCuse]

Deadline is 11:59pm on Oct 30th. Just in time to blackout our game with UNC on Halloween night. Disney has an incentive to not make a deal with the intention that YouTubeTV subscribers affected would switch to Hulu Live TV. Sounds like something that should be an antitrust problem if it isn't already.

YouTube TV, Disney release statements as potential ESPN blackout looms

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www.on3.com

 

[FloridaCuse]

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/23/disney-espn-youtube-tv-network-dispute.html

 

[Offthedome]

First, the MLB Network. Then YES. Now potentially this. Sigh.

 

[richmondcuse03]

YouTube has quietly amassed a lot of power in terms of how many households they deliver content to. They're trying to starve the cable companies of $ so they won't be able to bid as much on sports league rights down the road. Always remember YouTube = Google = Alphabet.

 

[FloridaCuse]

YouTube has quietly amassed a lot of power in terms of how many households they deliver content to. They're trying to starve the cable companies of $ so they won't be able to bid as much on sports league rights down the road. Always remember YouTube = Google = Alphabet.

10 million subscribers. They think they should get a discount for such a large base. But I think Comcast has a most favored nation clause that the rate they pay can't be greater than what anyone else pays.

 

[richmondcuse03]

10 million subscribers. They think they should get a discount for such a large base. But I think Comcast has a most favored nation clause that the rate they pay can't be greater than what anyone else pays.

There's also the regular YouTube dynamic where a lot of the traditional folks, like Comcast, distribute clips and content on there. So it's another leverage point.

Comcast negotiations were aided by YouTube going after Univision too. And the Hispanic caucus in DC stepped in. So there was some bipartisan anger. Eventually this will reach a tipping point - i just dont think it'll be this go round.

 

[dollarbill44]

I was thinking recently that it had been a while since YTTV had a contact dispute.

 

[JRHEETER]

I was thinking recently that it had been a while since YTTV had a contact dispute.

They just had one with NBC but it was resolved right before IIRC

 

[CuseTG2003]

I was thinking recently that it had been a while since YTTV had a contact dispute.

They just had one w/ Fox. They almost always get resolved at the last minute. Not sweating this one.

 

[JRHEETER]

Also, if YTTV loses ESPN ill drop them faster than you can believe.

 

[MSOrange]

They just had one w/ Fox. They almost always get resolved at the last minute. Not sweating this one.

That's how I'm looking at it, but we'll see.

 

[JRHEETER]

I think why these ones are more likely to get done before the deadline is because with the streaming cable services, you are month to month. So it is VERY easy to cancel and just go to a different subscriber and these streaming companies know that. I switch between DirecTV streaming and Youtube TV.

In the spring summer I go with Directv streaming and then I can get all the baseball channels. In the fall/winter when I dont need the baseball channels I switch to the more cost effectinve Youtube TV because it brings me all the college football and basketball. I also can get Sunday Ticket. The positive is if this goes to a blackout, I can drop my YTTV subscription and go to Hulu Live and still keep sunday ticket with YTTV.

 

[MSOrange]

I think why these ones are more likely to get done before the deadline is because with the streaming cable services, you are month to month. So it is VERY easy to cancel and just go to a different subscriber and these streaming companies know that. I switch between DirecTV streaming and Youtube TV.

In the spring summer I go with Directv streaming and then I can get all the baseball channels. In the fall/winter when I dont need the baseball channels I switch to the more cost effectinve Youtube TV because it brings me all the college football and basketball. I also can get Sunday Ticket. The positive is if this goes to a blackout, I can drop my YTTV subscription and go to Hulu Live and still keep sunday ticket with YTTV.

Agree the ability to switch has been one thing that's become more consumer friendly in recent years in this whole situation. I think Spectrum has even done away with contracts.

 

[dollarbill44]

I think why these ones are more likely to get done before the deadline is because with the streaming cable services, you are month to month. So it is VERY easy to cancel and just go to a different subscriber and these streaming companies know that. I switch between DirecTV streaming and Youtube TV.

In the spring summer I go with Directv streaming and then I can get all the baseball channels. In the fall/winter when I dont need the baseball channels I switch to the more cost effectinve Youtube TV because it brings me all the college football and basketball. I also can get Sunday Ticket. The positive is if this goes to a blackout, I can drop my YTTV subscription and go to Hulu Live and still keep sunday ticket with YTTV.

I subscribe to MLB. I used to have DirecTV, back in the day with the dish, and i would get NFL Sunday Ticket. But it was too unreliable with the weather.

TV and streaming would be so much easier if sports weren't my number one source of entertainment.

 

[dollarbill44]

They just had one w/ Fox. They almost always get resolved at the last minute. Not sweating this one.

I guess I dont always notice them. Too much travel, I guess.

 

[Chip]

I was thinking recently that it had been a while since YTTV had a contact dispute.

They’ve been cutting RSNs, little by little. Just dropped Monumental in DC (Caps/Wizards) on Oct 1. That one probably won’t be resolved at all.

 

[JustPherU]

I think why these ones are more likely to get done before the deadline is because with the streaming cable services, you are month to month. So it is VERY easy to cancel and just go to a different subscriber and these streaming companies know that. I switch between DirecTV streaming and Youtube TV.

In the spring summer I go with Directv streaming and then I can get all the baseball channels. In the fall/winter when I dont need the baseball channels I switch to the more cost effectinve Youtube TV because it brings me all the college football and basketball. I also can get Sunday Ticket. The positive is if this goes to a blackout, I can drop my YTTV subscription and go to Hulu Live and still keep sunday ticket with YTTV.

So we can drop YTTV and still keep the Sunday ticket?

 

[OburgOrange]

I think why these ones are more likely to get done before the deadline is because with the streaming cable services, you are month to month. So it is VERY easy to cancel and just go to a different subscriber and these streaming companies know that. I switch between DirecTV streaming and Youtube TV.

In the spring summer I go with Directv streaming and then I can get all the baseball channels. In the fall/winter when I dont need the baseball channels I switch to the more cost effectinve Youtube TV because it brings me all the college football and basketball. I also can get Sunday Ticket. The positive is if this goes to a blackout, I can drop my YTTV subscription and go to Hulu Live and still keep sunday ticket with YTTV.

How is Hulu for college football? My main concern

 

[JRHEETER]

So we can drop YTTV and still keep the Sunday ticket?

Sure can.

 

[JRHEETER]

How is Hulu for college football? My main concern

I would assume its okay. As long as it has ESPN/FOX/ACCN/CW