Blackout Looms of ESPN on YouTubeTV

[syracuse95]

YTTV, with 10 million subs, wants to be treated the same as Comcast and Spectrum, which each have 12 million.

As of today they have 9,999,999 subs. I cancelled mine since my billing cycle resets tomorrow. I only use it to watch sports, and I'm not going to pay for a service I won't really use. Plus I have an antenna for the broadcast networks. I don't feel like I'm missing much not being able to get our game, so Saturday I'll just watch whatever's on CW, CBS, Fox, and ABC. It'll feel like 1991 again. Maybe I'll buy a 12-pack of Pabst pounders to complete the vibe.

 

[OburgOrange]

FWIW, I contacted YTTV support via chat was told that the credit was "randomly distributed" and has now been "exhausted." They did offer 2 weeks of "free time" instead. I took that.

I just did the same. Got the same “deal” as you.

 

[MSOrange]

ESPN’s Ratings Take a Hit Thanks to Carriage Dispute With YouTubeTV

The NFL and college football suffered a dip in viewership while the network remains dark for 10 million people.

www.si.com

 

[Nicknack]

I chatted with them and asked. They told me no soup for you. But thank you for your patience and being a valued customer. Lol

They suck. I swear, if it weren't for my kids and wife who would melt down if I changed our tv situation up, I'd be OUT. Still might be, I have a week or so before my billing cycle resets.

 

[Moontan]

In a survey 82% blame Disney. Only 18% blame YTTV.

Most Cord Cutters Blame Disney for Its Blackout on YouTube TV | Cord Cutters News

The ongoing blackout of Disney-owned channels on YouTube TV has plunged millions of streaming subscribers into frustration, stripping away access to ESPN, ABC, FX, Freeform, National Geographic, and more since October 30, 2025. What began as a high-stakes contract negotiation between media giant...

cordcuttersnews.com

The smart solution would have been to keep the current contract for an extra month (or two) during negotiations.

Crazy, crazy….

 

[Scooch]

In a survey 82% blame Disney. Only 18% blame YTTV.

Most Cord Cutters Blame Disney for Its Blackout on YouTube TV | Cord Cutters News

The ongoing blackout of Disney-owned channels on YouTube TV has plunged millions of streaming subscribers into frustration, stripping away access to ESPN, ABC, FX, Freeform, National Geographic, and more since October 30, 2025. What began as a high-stakes contract negotiation between media giant...

cordcuttersnews.com

LOL. Seems scientific.

The reality is that for these disputes consumer sentiment is a "pox on both their houses" kind of thing.

Back in the day, we did extensive consumer research to develop marketing and messaging strategies to (a) garner support, and (b) activate a call-to-arms among customers of the provider to put pressure on.

However, going back several years, people wised up and realized these are fights between billion dollar corporations. And they hate both equally. So we stopped doing that kind of research and played it pretty low-key during disputes.

Apparently whoever stepped into my old role thinks they can sway public opinion. Good luck with that!

I feel for you who are YTTV customers. Given my history with the company involved, I'm kinda getting a kick out of it all.

 

[Scooch]

The smart solution would have been to keep the current contract for an extra month (or two) during negotiations.

Crazy, crazy….

No leverage that way. Need a deadline to get movement. Most times it happens. Not this time.

 

[FloridaCuse]

LOL. Seems scientific.

The reality is that for these disputes consumer sentiment is a "pox on both their houses" kind of thing.

Back in the day, we did extensive consumer research to develop marketing and messaging strategies to (a) garner support, and (b) activate a call-to-arms among customers of the provider to put pressure on.

However, going back several years, people wised up and realized these are fights between billion dollar corporations. And they hate both equally. So we stopped doing that kind of research and played it pretty low-key during disputes.

Apparently whoever stepped into my old role thinks they can sway public opinion. Good luck with that!

I feel for you who are YTTV customers. Given my history with the company involved, I'm kinda getting a kick out of it all.

Who is the "we"?

 

[690West]

Who is the "we"?

You might know scooch by his given surname…..Nielsen

 

[cliftonparksufan]

You might know scooch by his given surname…..Nielsen

Multi talented.

 

[BKCuse]

I blame YTTV for the mess this time - which is odd bc I used to work for Disney and they were a miserably cheap, penny pinching company for everyone below the line to make sure everyone above the line and execs kept getting their fat checks.

Screw ‘em both.

Also screw reading 11 pages of this thread or my head might explode. Is there any consensus on next best options if I quit YTTV ?

 

[capeorange]

A hidden credit is available to some YTTV subscribers. It is a $60 credit given at $10 a month over 6 months. The article where I found out about this is at the end of this post. I tried it and I got the credit. Apparently it is not available to every subscriber. We don't know who. Maybe I got it because I am a YTTV Sunday Ticket subscriber. If you try to get this credit, please post here whether you were successful or not.

To possibly get the credit you you have to access your YTTV on a desktop (or laptop) computer only. Then do this:
1. Open YTTV on a desktop computer (or laptop which is what I use).
2. Go to the upper right corner where your icon or profile is and click on it.
3. Click on "Settings"
4. Go to your Base Plan and on the right click on "Manage"
5. If you are eligible for the credit, it will show up under "Options". It will show you can have a credit of $10 a month starting on your next bill date and lasting for 6 months. To get the credit, click on "Agree".

I clicked on "Agree" and immediately received an email that my "promotional" offer has been activated.

It is unknown if you get this credit whether you will also get the $20 credit YTTV has said they will give to subscribers if the dispute extends for a period of time.

Good Luck!

https://www.fastcompany.com/91434193/theres-a-hidden-60-savings-buried-in-youtube-tv-if-you-know-where-to-click​

Thanks!

 

[Scooch]

You might know scooch by his given surname…..Nielsen

That’s a terrible thing to call me.

 

[FloridaCuse]

YouTube TV Subscribers Increasingly Irate Over Disney Blackout: 24% Say They Have Already Canceled or Plan to Soon

With the blackout of ESPN, ABC and other Disney networks on YouTube TV, 24% of subscribers said they have already canceled or plan to, a survey found.

variety.com

 

[justgold315]

I'm giving it until Friday, and then I'm cancelling

 

[Blanko97]

My prediction? YTTV get the carriage agreement done on saturday but forces a Disney+ subscription on every subscriber. They keep the price the same for 3-4 months to get through football and then they boost it $10 dollars because of all the "value" that the carriage agreement brought.

 

[capeorange]

When you cancel, you can still watch until your billing cycle ends.

 

[JRHEETER]

When you cancel, you can still watch until your billing cycle ends.

Yup, I have until November 27th.

I am hoping its resolved by then and I can stay on with YTTV as I prefer it over DirecTV.

However, in the spring I switch to DirecTV anyway so I can get get YES and SNY.


These disputes are getting tiresome really and the subscribers are getting smarter. If they continue to push peoples buttons like this, more and more will continue to seek out illegal steams to watch their television.

 

[MSOrange]

Yup, I have until November 27th.

I am hoping its resolved by then and I can stay on with YTTV as I prefer it over DirecTV.

However, in the spring I switch to DirecTV anyway so I can get get YES and SNY.


These disputes are getting tiresome really and the subscribers are getting smarter. If they continue to push peoples buttons like this, more and more will continue to seek out illegal steams to watch their television.

I have until Nov 26. I'd prefer to stay with YTTV also. I did a month of ESPN Unlimited to watch SU games and was able to use my credit card rewards to come out even. But I might pause YTTV and go with DirecTV if it continues.

 

[FloridaCuse]

The Athletic Friday Morning Report on the Standoff: Pessimism

Pessimism in standoff as ESPN, YouTube TV head toward ‘Monday Night’ showdown

What I'm Hearing: The Athletic's Andrew Marchand has the latest state of play on the YouTube TV-ESPN standoff.

www.nytimes.com

 

[OrangeTarheel]

Yup, I have until November 27th.

I am hoping its resolved by then and I can stay on with YTTV as I prefer it over DirecTV.

However, in the spring I switch to DirecTV anyway so I can get get YES and SNY.


These disputes are getting tiresome really and the subscribers are getting smarter. If they continue to push peoples buttons like this, more and more will continue to seek out illegal steams to watch their television.

It’s about the same for me - I’m increasingly not seeing the benefit of YTTV & will likely switch to Sling … although some of you have got me DirectTV curious …

 

[justgold315]

Does DirecTV "entertainment" tier include regular ACCN? Can you still stream if not ACCNX?

 

[Moontan]

Does DirecTV "entertainment" tier include regular ACCN? Can you still stream if not ACCNX?

I don't think so.
This is what they list for Choice:

---

Everything in ENTERTAINMENT
+

• Specialty sports including: ACC Network, Big Ten Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, SEC Network & more.
• Regional Sports Networks for watching your local teams ⓘ

 

[justgold315]

Thanks, I saw they didn't have the channel. I was wondering if you can stream ACCN through the ESPN app. I have never tried that. The entertainment tier includes ESPN unlimited, which I've never had, so I was not sure what's included for streaming.

 

[Offthedome]

I agree with a lot of this.

If YTTV loses ESPN I will be heading back to direcTV streaming as that was almost as good as YTTV.

Unlimited DVR on directTV? Can you watch it on a laptop? Thanks.