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Dozens of live television channels have gone dark for YouTube TV subscribers as the streaming service failed to reach a new deal with Disney, to keep Disney-owned networks like ESPN and ABC on-air.
With the blackout, YouTube TV users nationwide can no longer watch their local ABC station, as well as live sports programming on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 and others.
While Google has stressed that it is still looking to reach a long-term deal to keep the channels on the live TV streamer permanently, Disney execs countered that Google is “not interested in achieving a fair deal with us.”
What that means for now: customers looking to watch ESPN online will have to find a YouTube TV alternative. Currently, there are a few YouTube TV alternatives that carry the Disney-owned channels, including three streaming services that are offering ways to stream the channels online for free.
What Are the Best YouTube TV Alternatives?
Worried about ABC and ESPN leaving YouTube TV? You can sign up for another live TV streaming service that includes the ABC/Disney family of networks. Here’s a look at some of the best YouTube TV alternatives online right now.
1. DirecTV
DirecTV Stream offers 90+ live TV channels with its “Entertainment” package, which costs just $49.99/month right now as part of a special offer (compared to $83 for YouTube TV). DirecTV’s channel lineup includes ESPN, ESPN2 and a local ABC feed, among others. You also get access to Fox Sports, FS1 and other live sporting channels online. Even better: new DirecTV subscribers can get started with a five-day free trial with no commitment.
DirecTV — as with all the other streamers on this list — let you watch live television channels on your phone, tablet, laptop or smart TV.
2. Hulu + Live TV
One of the best values in streaming right now is the Hulu + Live TV bundle, which gets you access to Hulu’s on-demand library of TV shows and movies, plus 95+ television channels to stream live online. Hulu’s current live channel offerings include most of the Disney-owned stations. Your subscription also includes free access to Disney+ and ESPN+.
Hulu just dropped its price to $64.99/month for your first three months of service. It was previously offered at the same $82.99 price point of YouTube TV. You can try out Hulu + Live TV with a three-day free trial here.
3. Fubo TV
One of our favorite live TV streaming services is Fubo, which is currently offering 35% off its base plan, dubbed the “Pro.” The plan gets you more than 150 live television channels that you can stream online without cable. Get networks like ABC plus ESPN Unlimited, in addition to local channels to stream live NBA and NHL games this season. You also get unlimited DVR to record your favorite shows as they air, so you can watch them back on-demand later.
Fubo’s Essential plan normally costs $84.99/month but you can get it for a special rate of just $54.99 right now for your first month. You can also try Fubo with a seven-day free trial here. Your free trial includes free DVR.
4. Sling
Sling is an affordable YouTube TV alternative, with plans starting from just $33/month right now with current promotions (a 50% discount). The Sling Orange, and Sling Orange & Blue plans includes a live feed of ABC, ESPN and more than 50 other channels that you can stream online (note: Sling pricing and offers vary by region).
The current YouTube TV and Disney impasse comes just weeks after the streamer narrowly averted a blackout of all NBCUniversal networks, as the two sides worked to resolve disputes over carriage fees and contract terms. Though the sides were able to strike a short-term extension on September 30, it’s not clear how long the current agreement will last. YouTube TV was unable to reach a deal with Univision and other TelevisaUnivision-owned networks, meaning subscribers will no longer have access to Univision, Galavision, UniMas, Bandamax and sports channel TUDN, among others (the NBCU-owned Telemundo is still on air now).
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