Alphabet and Disney reached a deal to end ESPN and ABC’s two-week absence from YouTube TV, opening the door for sports fans to view the network’s college football and Monday Night Football broadcasts ahead of a busy sports weekend.
According to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand, the new deal gives YouTube TV subscribers access to ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer “Unlimited” service at no additional cost as part of the streaming service’s base plan.
YouTube and ESPN each announced the multi-year distribution agreement Friday evening, which noted subscribers will begin to see their service restored over the course of the day.
The Walt Disney Company announces multi-year distribution agreement with YouTube TV pic.twitter.com/Gw0rYO1KrN
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) November 15, 2025
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
The bad dream is over, which led fans and personalities to share their relief that the frustrating dispute has come to a resolution, even if it was a bit too late:
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) November 15, 2025
Our long national nightmare is over. (Still ticked off about it.) https://t.co/fbe7yUchdB
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) November 15, 2025
“Dad what was it like to get ESPN back on YouTube TV?” pic.twitter.com/gozZ9GVeS1
— Gavin McHugh (@gavinmchughh) November 15, 2025
HUGE NEWS
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 15, 2025
ESPN AND YOUTUBETV HAVE SHAKEN HANDS
We have a DEAL pic.twitter.com/VQH3Ameezb
— Jeffrey Rose (@imRose) November 15, 2025
My CFB Saturday has been saved https://t.co/WRAatPQ2N2 pic.twitter.com/14ZRizMkjx
— Mark Thompson (@mathomp_501) November 15, 2025
Just flip the switch!!!!! https://t.co/cHvHypnbqf
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) November 15, 2025
I was just flipping channels on YouTube TV. Noticed the Clemson Louisville game was on, clicked it. Watched for about 30 seconds before it dawned on me this game is on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/tQI58mbRD6
— Jonathan Smith (@DegenerateTBone) November 15, 2025
Of course, there was room for a couple of clean jokes, too:
Oh we are so back (until the next time this happens)
— Chuck (@DawgPoundChuck) November 15, 2025
You couldn't have waited until after the Dallas game? Was really looking forward to not watching them again
— Josh Bernard (@JoshBernard) November 15, 2025
Fans can take a deep breath as they won’t miss another full football weekend due to the contentious dispute, which led to plenty of public criticism. YouTube TV offered customers a $20 credit as the disagreement went on, which caused fans to be without high-profile broadcasts for an extended period of time.
Hopefully the Friday-night news brings a collective exhale across the sports world.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Sports Fans Were Extremely Relieved That Disney, YouTube TV Ended Frustrating Dispute.
