This feels like deja vu all over again. Now, for the second time in a year, a streaming service has been cut off from using Disney programming as the two sides were not able to come to an agreement in time. This time, Disney and YouTubeTV were not able to come to an agreement on terms, so channels like ESPN and ABC are no longer available to customers, causing a problem for Notre Dame fans.
Notre Dame games have been living on NBC and Peacock this season, so of course, one of the few times the Fighting Irish game is on ESPN, this happens. Any fans of Notre Dame who have YouTubeTV will need to look for other alternatives to watching the game this weekend, as they probably won't be able to on their streaming service unless a deal happens very soon.
As of now, ESPN/ABC channels are no longer on YouTubeTV after the 2 sides could not strike a deal.
— Angelo Di Carlo (@angdicarlo) October 31, 2025
Notre Dame fans who have YouTubeTV may not be able to watch ND vs BC Saturday, which will air on ESPN.
You can check for possible trials on Fubo, Hulu+Live TV or ESPN Unlimited. pic.twitter.com/whkaWaoCNu
The deal between YouTubeTV and Disney officially expired at 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday, as fans with those channels were completely blacked out. For a lot of fans watching the Tulane-ETSA game, they were not able to watch the rest of a big upset game for the Group of Five schools.
Obviously, there was hope a new deal would be made before old ones expired, but neither side caved like both were probably hoping, so fans are now the ones forced to suffer. Notre Dame fans are not the only ones suffering, as Oklahoma and Tennessee fans will not be able to watch the game either on YouTubeTV, as they are the game after Notre Dame vs. Boston College.
"Unfortunately, Google’s YouTube TV has chosen to deny their subscribers the content they value most by refusing to pay fair rates for our channels, including ESPN and ABC,” Disney said in a statement. “Without a new agreement in place, their subscribers will not have access to our programming, which includes the best lineup in live sports – anchored by the NFL, NBA, and college football, with 13 of the top 25 college teams playing this weekend."
YouTubeTV is trying to soften the blow right now with a $20 credit for customers if the blackout goes on for an extended period of time, but that time is decided by the company.
Fans may be looking around for free trials to watch the game, and if so, look no further, as you can do a free trial for FuboTV by clicking here. Now you won't have to miss a second of college football this weekend.