**YouTube TV Subscribers: Your Channels — and Your Football — Are Back**
Disney and YouTube announced Friday night that the two companies have reached a new agreement, restoring Disney-owned channels to YouTube TV subscribers.
On October 30, YouTube TV lost all of Disney’s channels, including ESPN and ESPN2. This blackout meant that subscribers who wanted to watch NFL or college football on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2 — as well as family-friendly Disney hits like *Bluey* — had to seek alternative streaming options.
“We’re happy to share that we’ve reached an agreement with Disney that preserves the value of our service for our subscribers and future flexibility in our offers,” a YouTube spokesperson said.
According to the companies’ joint statement, they have reached a multi-year deal and are already restoring the channels on YouTube TV. Subscribers should see the content, along with any previously saved recordings in their Library, return over the next 24 hours. If you don’t have access yet, it should appear soon.
As a YouTube TV subscriber myself, I can confirm that as of 5:30 p.m. PT on Friday, Disney, ESPN, and other channels were restored. As a die-hard Minnesota Vikings fan (yes, I know), I had temporarily added Fubo TV during the blackout, but I won’t be keeping that subscription now that Disney’s channels are back.
Beyond restoring the channels, the agreement includes additional benefits for YouTube TV subscribers. The unlimited version of ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer service will be available at no extra cost through YouTube TV. Subscribers will also gain access to a selection of live and on-demand programming from ESPN Unlimited within the service.
Additionally, select networks will be included in various genre-specific packages, and YouTube TV users can opt to include the Disney Plus and Hulu bundle as part of select subscriptions.
“This new agreement reflects our continued commitment to delivering exceptional entertainment and evolving with how audiences choose to watch,” said Disney Entertainment Co-Chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, together with ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro. “It recognizes the tremendous value of Disney’s programming and provides YouTube TV subscribers with more flexibility and choice. We are pleased that our networks have been restored in time for fans to enjoy the many great programming options this weekend, including college football.”
The blackout began when the previous agreement expired on October 30, resulting in a 25-day interruption—the longest recent blackout for Disney, according to *The Hollywood Reporter*.
**Channels Removed Due to the Dispute**
[Insert list of channels here]
We apologize for the disruption and thank our subscribers for their patience during the negotiations. Stay tuned for more updates and enjoy your favorite programming once again!
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https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/touchdown-disney-espn-and-other-channels-are-back-on-youtube-tv/#ftag=CADf328eec