Live Stream ABC, ESPN, and More With These Services
We’ve officially hit two weeks since Disney and YouTube TV failed to reach a new carriage deal, and major networks like ESPN and ABC remain blacked out from the YouTube TV channel lineup. This throws a wrench into some viewers’ plans, especially when it comes to sports. Fortunately, there are a few YouTube TV alternatives that can help fill the gaps for those considering switching live streaming services.
ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network, the ACC Network, FX, Disney Channel, Freeform, and Nat Geo are among the most popular Walt Disney-owned channels removed from YouTube TV until Disney and Google-owned YouTube TV can reach a new deal. In a support post published after the channels initially went dark, YouTube TV noted that they’d continue to negotiate with Disney, but that they “can’t speculate at this point about when that may happen or if their content will be restored on the platform.” YouTube has also begun to roll out a $20 credit for subscribers, which they’ll need to redeem in order to access.
Our top recommendations for YouTube TV replacements are DirecTV, Sling TV, Fubo, and ESPN Unlimited. Each of these services offers something different, including a variety of price points and channel line-ups. DirecTV, Fubo, and Sling rank among the best live TV streaming services we’ve personally tested, carrying anywhere from 34-200+ channels, depending on which tier you sign up for. These function as cable alternatives, similar to YouTube TV. ESPN Unlimited, on the other hand, is a more affordable option that will be a better fit if you’re only looking to bridge the sports gap during the blackout and you don’t want to fully cancel YouTube TV yet.
We’ve broken down everything you need to know about four of the best YouTube TV alternatives, including prices, channels, and any available free trial offers. Our recommendations are based on our time spent extensively testing the services, some of which we use regularly in our own homes. As is the case with YouTube TV, all of the services we’ve highlighted offer month-to-month options, which means that you can cancel at any time without being tied down to a long-term contract. That way, you can always return to YouTube TV in the future.
DirecTV
DirecTV is the best overall live TV streaming service we’ve tested and our top recommendation for a true YouTube TV alternative. It has robust local network coverage and pretty much every cable channel you can think of through its various plans and add-ons. It’s the only live TV service other than YouTube TV that doesn’t have any missing key channels. DirecTV’s signature plans, which function like YouTube TV, start at $89.99 a month for the Entertainment plan, which carries 90+ key channels. All DirecTV signature plans (Entertainment and up) include access to ESPN Unlimited. If you sign up for one of the plans using a Gemini device (and its associated lease fees), you’ll also get the ad-supported Disney Plus and Hulu bundle.
DirecTV also introduced new genre packs this year, which are cheaper, genre-specific plans. If sports are the main thing you’re missing from YouTube TV’s blackouts, then you might like the DirecTV MySports package. MySports costs $69.99 a month and carries about 20 popular sports channels. It also unlocks access to ESPN Unlimited. DirecTV plans come with a five-day free trial for new customers, and several subscription tiers have other introductory offers. You can learn more in our DirecTV review and guide to DirecTV genre packs.
DirecTV Subscription
Previously known as AT&T TV, DirecTV offers streaming access to a large selection of live channels, including most key networks typically found in traditional cable packages.
ESPN Unlimited
If you’re only concerned about missing sports broadcasts on Disney-owned channels, then ESPN Unlimited is the way to go. The new enhanced app carries comprehensive live streams from ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN on ABC, ESPNU, the ACC Network, SEC Network, and more. The app also carries ESPN Plus streaming exclusives, making it particularly helpful for keeping up with events like college football games that aren’t nationally broadcast.
ESPN Unlimited costs $29.99 a month. However, there are several bundling opportunities that can save you a significant amount each month. For a limited time, you can sign up for the ESPN Unlimited, Disney Plus, and Hulu bundle for just $29.99 a month for 12 months. This is essentially throwing in ad-supported Disney Plus and Hulu for free for 12 months, something that can also help bridge the gap if you’re missing shows that air new episodes on ABC (like “High Potential,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “9-1-1”). You can explore more, including a breakdown of ESPN Select, in our guide to the ESPN streaming service.
ESPN Unlimited
ESPN Unlimited has everything from ESPN Plus, in addition to all that the ESPN linear networks have to offer.
Sling TV
Sling TV is another popular live TV app, earning a best pick for the essentials designation in our live TV streaming service guide. Sling’s Orange plan, which costs $45.99 a month (or less if you opt for a short-term day, weekend, or weeklong pass), carries ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Disney Channel, and around 30 other live channels in its lineup.
If you’re looking for a more comprehensive live TV service akin to YouTube TV (or something that might have ABC), then we recommend signing up for the Sling Orange + Blue combo plan, which costs $60.99 a month. This duo plan carries about 50 channels, including everything found in Sling Orange and Sling Blue. Sling Blue has popular live channels across news, entertainment, lifestyle, and sports, including Disney-owned networks like FX. The Blue plan also carries select local channels, like ABC, although availability varies by region. If you don’t care about ESPN, then the new pared-down Sling Select plan that starts at $19.99 a month might be the way to go. It carries FX and around 10 other channels (including local networks in select regions). Our Sling TV review and Sling TV channels guide break down everything else you might want to know about the service.
Sling Orange + Blue
Sling TV offers some of the best cable channels for $61 or less. There are three different tiers to choose from, plus several sports and entertainment-specific add-ons, but the Orange + Blue combo is the best way to get the most major sports channels. Plus, you can usually get about half off your first month.
Fubo
Fubo earns our best for sports designation when it comes to live TV streaming services, thanks to the 200+ channels available in its Pro plan, which costs $84.99 a month. Fubo Pro carries key networks such as ESPN, FX, and local channels. The Pro and Elite with Sports Plus plans are best known for their robust regional sports lineups and more rare international sports offerings. The streamer also recently introduced a cheaper Fubo Sports + News plan, which costs $55.99 a month and offers access to 29 popular channels (including ABC and ESPN). All Fubo plans (except the Latino plan) unlock access to ESPN Unlimited.
Just keep in mind that Warner Bros. networks (like TNT, CNN, and TBS) aren’t available on Fubo. Additionally, AMC isn’t included, and NBC is missing from the Sports + News package (although it’s available in Fubo Pro and Elite with Sports Plus). Fubo plans come with a five-day free trial and introductory savings offers for new users, which range from $10 to $30 off the first month of service. You can learn more in our Fubo live TV streaming guide.
Fubo Pro
Fubo is the streaming service for sports fans. Its huge library of channels includes regional and international sports leagues, setting it apart from the competition. You can also tack on additional programming to your plan, but it’ll cost you extra.
Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto via Getty Images
FAQ
When will the YouTube TV and Disney issue be resolved?
As we mentioned above, there’s no telling exactly when (or if) the YouTube TV and Disney issue might be resolved. Several similar carriage disputes have cropped up over the years. DirecTV and Disney had a similar issue in Fall 2024, which lasted 13 days before the two companies were able to reach an agreement, ultimately resulting in a new multi-year carriage deal. Disney also had an 11-day dispute with Charter (Spectrum) in 2023 and a brief blackout with Dish Network in 2022. This isn’t even the first dispute between Disney and YouTube TV, as a similar blackout occurred back in 2021, although that lasted only a few days.
Carriage disputes also occasionally result in long-term blackouts. Fubo, for example, was unable to reach an agreement to renew its licensing deal with Warner Bros. Discovery in April 2024, and as a result, the streamer dropped all related WBD channels.
What channels are affected on YouTube?
While ESPN and ABC are the headliners of this standoff, you might be surprised at just how many channels fall under the Walt Disney Company (and its subsidiaries) name. According to YouTube TV, the affected networks (via the base plan, Spanish Plan, or add-ons like Spanish Plus) include ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Freeform, FX, FXX, Disney Junior, SEC Network, Nat Geo, Nat Geo Wild, Disney Channel, ESPNU, FXM, ABC News Live, ACC Network, Disney XD, Localish, ESPNews, ESPN Deportes (Spanish Plan), Baby TV Español (Spanish Plan), and Nat Geo Mundo (Spanish Plan).
Which is better, Sling Orange or Blue?
If you’re considering Sling as a YouTube TV replacement, we recommend that you get the Sling Orange + Blue combination plan. However, if you’re only budgeting for one of the plans, it’s up to you and your personal interests to decide which option might be better. If your main focus is ESPN, then you absolutely need Sling Orange (or you should try ESPN Unlimited).
However, if you’re ambivalent about ESPN and looking for a more well-rounded cable alternative or something that might have ABC, Sling Blue is the way to go, as it offers a more balanced selection of channel genres and the potential for local networks. For a comprehensive comparison of the two plans, refer to our Sling TV Orange vs. Blue guide.
Looking for more options for home entertainment and live sports? Check out our picks of the best streaming services, best sports streaming services, and best streaming deals and bundles.
