YouTube TV customers are waiting on news of whether or not their streaming service will resolve a contract dispute with Disney in time for the big college football weekend. The good news is, there are plenty of free (and legal) alternatives to YouTube TV for college football fans who don’t want to miss a minute of the upcoming weekend of gridiron action.
ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, along with other ESPN-owned networks like ACC Network and SEC Network, broadcast select NCAA football games, and are carried on every other major live Internet TV streaming service, including fuboTV (free trial), DirecTV (free trial), Sling (half off) and others. Those services also include non-sports Disney-owned networks, like the Disney Channel and National Geographic. Fans can also sign up for ESPN Unlimited for more college football games, but make sure you check the schedule to see if your team is playing on the service this weekend, as it does not offer a free trial.
Here are your options to watch college football games on ESPN channels while they are blacked out on YouTube TV.
Why is YouTube TV dropping ESPN?
Disney’s contract with YouTube TV expires Thursday, October 30, at midnight, and negotiations to renew the contract have not been going well between Disney and Google, the company that owns YouTube TV. If an agreement cannot be reached, all Disney-wned channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ACC Network, SEC Network, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, FX and some local ABC affiliates, will go dark on YouTube TV beginning Friday, October 31.
Disney says Google is “exploiting its position at the expense of their own customers.” Google, in turn, accuses Disney of “proposing costly economic terms” that will force price increases on subscribers while benefiting Google’s competitors, such as DirecTV, Hulu and fuboTV, according to The Independent.
Disney was involved in a similar dispute with Spectrum in 2023, and again with DirecTV in 2024 in the midst of the college football and NFL seasons.
The blackout impacts customers’ ability to watch everything from college and professional sports to their favorite entertainment programs. According to Cord Cutters News, the core of the dispute is around Disney’s insistence that ESPN Unlimited be included with YouTube TV’s offerings.
Where can I still watch ESPN?
Every other major live Internet TV streaming service currently includes ESPN as part of their basic programming, but some charge extra for access to more specialized sports channels involved in the dispute, like ACC Network, SEC Network and ESPNU. Some, like fuboTV, offer free trials so you can sign up and start enjoying the service cost-free, before deciding whether to continue your subscription.
Here’s what each service offers.
BEST BET: fuboTV (free trial)
fuboTV is a comprehensive live TV streaming service that offers more than 230 channels including ESPN, ESPN2, ACC Network, unlimited Cloud DVR and the ability to watch on up to 10 streams at once. Crucially, it even includes college sports networks, like ACC Network, in its base pricing. It has a sports focus, and even has its own exclusive fubo Sports channels that carry exclusive international soccer games and other sports. For a limited time, fuboTV is offering its first month for just $54.99 after your free trial. After that, the price is $84.99 per month. It even includes a complimentary subscription to ESPN Unlimited, which you can also enjoy during your free trial.
DirecTV is comparable to fuboTV, from a sports fans perspective, but fans will need to subscribe to the second tier “Choice” package to get access to SEC Network and other specialized sports networks.
CHEAPEST: Sling TV Orange + Sports Extra
Sling TV is a great option if you’re looking to save a bit on your streaming costs. At $46 a month, it’s lower than any of its major competitors. Fans will need the $15/month Sports Extra pack, to make sure they get special channels like ACC Network, but even at $61 per month, Sling still gives you a cheaper deal than other live TV services. It is missing local channels, but you can fix that with an HD Antenna, like this one. Sling Orange includes all the Disney-owned channels you’re looking for, including ESPN, ESPN2 and more.
BEST FOR DISNEY: Hulu + Live TV ($20 off first three months)
If you love Disney-owned channels, Hulu + Live TV may be your best buy on the list. Its basic, $89.99 subscription includes 95+ channels, including ACC Network and SEC Network right in the base price, plus as a Disney-owned service, it has every Disney-owned channel you might want, like FX, Disney XD and more. It also includes Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Select in your subscription fee, which more than makes up for the short, three-day free trial. Plus, right now, Hulu + Live TV subscribers get their first three months for $64.99.
Can I get ESPN Channels with ESPN Unlimited?
Yes. Since the last time Disney had a contract dispute, they have upgrade their ESPN+ service to a new subscription package called ESPN Unlimited. ESPN Unlimited is more expensive at $29.99 per month, but includes complete access to ESPN live channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ACC Network and exclusive ESPN+ games from college football, NHL and more.
ESPN Unlimited
Enjoy complete college football coverage with a subscription to ESPN Unlimited.
What about other cable providers?
The YouTube TV-Disney dispute only impacts YouTube TV subscribers. Cable providers are not affected at this time.
What about StreamEast?
StreamEast was free for streaming sports, but it was inconsistent and illegal, but it was shut down by the federal government at the start of the new NFL Season. Replacements like CrackStreams and MethStreams have sprung up in its place, but they are similarly unreliable, risky and illegal. DirecTV and Fubo are reliable streaming platforms where you can watch college football — or any live sports — for free.
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