Editor's Note: As of Oct. 31, 2025, YouTube TV has lost Disney and ESPN. Both sides have said they are still working toward a solution, but remain far apart.
The deadline is almost here. It's that time again, fellow YouTube TV subscribers. Disney has gone to war with YouTube TV, and it could ultimately end with the live TV streaming service losing out on Disney, ESPN, ABC and more popular channels that are a must for most consumers.
Here's the rundown: On Oct. 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET the distribution deal between Disney, which owns ESPN, ABC and numerous other networks, will end. At that point, YouTube TV will no longer air any Disney-owned networks until a new deal is struck.
YouTube TV and Disney: What's going on?
Disney, for its part, is accusing YouTube TV of being the reason behind the lack of a new deal. “This is the latest example of Google exploiting its position at the expense of their own customers,” a Disney spokesperson said in a statement to CNBC. “If we don’t reach a fair deal soon, YouTube TV customers will lose access to ESPN and ABC, and all our marquee programming — including the NFL, college football, NBA and NHL seasons — and so much more.”
Unsurprisingly, YouTube TV says it's Disney, not the Google-owned cable alternative, that's to blame for the current situation. "We've been working in good faith to negotiate a deal with Disney that pays them fairly for their content on YouTube TV," YouTube said on its official blog. "Unfortunately, Disney is proposing costly economic terms that would raise prices on YouTube TV customers and give our customers fewer choices, while benefiting Disney’s own live TV products - like Hulu + Live TV and, soon, Fubo. Without an agreement, we'll have to remove Disney’s content from YouTube TV and if it remains unavailable for an extended period of time, we will offer subscribers a $20 credit."
It might be time to jump ship for Hulu with Live TV
Here's the thing: I don't care which company is at fault. I want the best channel selection for the most affordable price. And while YouTube's $20 credit is a fair offer, it won't do me any good if I still have to pay elsewhere to get the Disney-owned channels that I want to watch. So I'm strongly considering switching to Hulu with Live TV.
I'm fully aware that this is exactly what Disney is hoping for, or at least, certainly won't upset the House of Mouse. But ultimately, there are three reasons why I'm about ready to make the switch, and only one of them has to do with this most recent carriage dispute.
The biggest reason I'm tempted to make the switch is that right now, you can get Hulu with Live TV for just $64.99 a month for your first three months. That's $18 a month less than the $82.99 list price for YouTube TV, and still $8 cheaper than YouTube TV's current introductory offer, which is $10 off a month for your first three months of YouTube TV.
Plus, Hulu includes ESPN Unlimited, Disney Plus (with ads) and Hulu (with ads). So not only would I pay less for my live TV service by making the switch, I'd save money on some of the best streaming services too.
Now, it's important to note that Hulu with Live TV isn't perfect. I've tested all the best live TV streaming services, and while I liked Hulu a lot, it missed out on some popular channels and didn't have the best app for streaming live TV. I preferred YouTube TV, which is why it's currently our pick for the best cable TV alternative. And once the three-month promotional period ends, Hulu with Live TV costs $89.99, which is more than the $82.99 you need to shell out for YouTube TV.
Still, saving $18 a month isn't insignificant, and I'd never have to worry about ESPN going away. I haven't made a final decision yet, but at this point, I'm strongly considering leaving YouTube TV for Hulu with Live TV before the latter's current promotion ends on Nov. 5, 2025.
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