After more than two weeks of disruption, The Walt Disney Company and YouTube TV have officially ended their programming blackout, restoring all Disney-owned channels including ESPN, ABC, FX, Freeform, and National Geographic to YouTube TV. The companies announced a new multi-year distribution agreement on November 14, 2025, which reinstates Disney’s full portfolio and introduces ESPN Unlimited, a forthcoming all-access sports streaming service.

In a press release, Disney confirmed, “We are pleased to announce a new multi-year distribution agreement that will restore access to our portfolio of networks on YouTube TV. This agreement reflects our shared commitment to providing viewers with high-quality sports and entertainment programming.”

YouTube TV posted its own official statement on the YouTube Blog, saying, “We’ve reached a new deal with Disney to bring their networks back to YouTube TV. Thank you for your patience while we worked to renew this important partnership.”

Under the terms of the deal, YouTube TV base-plan subscribers will gain access to ESPN Unlimited—Disney’s upcoming direct-to-consumer sports platform—at no additional cost by the end of 2026. ESPN Unlimited will combine ESPN’s traditional linear channels, ESPN+ digital content, and live event rights, creating one of the most comprehensive sports packages available through a single service.

A notable inclusion in this expansion is WWE programming, which is being folded into ESPN’s sports rights lineup following Disney’s recently finalized streaming partnership with WWE. Once ESPN Unlimited launches, YouTube TV subscribers will have access to WWE premium live events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, and Survivor Series, alongside core ESPN programming like Monday Night Football, UFC Fight Nights, and NBA broadcasts.

The blackout, which began on October 30, 2025, was the result of a dispute over carriage fees. YouTube TV stated that Disney was seeking “significantly higher rates,” while Disney maintained that its pricing was in line with other distributors. The loss of channels during college football season, NBA coverage, and WWE build-up events led to widespread subscriber frustration.

During the outage, YouTube TV offered affected subscribers a $20 account credit, a move estimated to cost Google up to $200 million if fully redeemed. Analysts at Morgan Stanley estimated Disney lost around $30 million per week in advertising and affiliate revenue during the blackout.

The new agreement ensures that Disney’s full suite of channels, including ABC, ESPN, FX, and National Geographic, will remain available through YouTube TV’s base plan. More importantly, it reflects the next phase of Disney’s sports strategy: merging traditional broadcast rights with direct-to-consumer streaming in anticipation of the 2026 ESPN Unlimited rollout.

Analysts view this deal as a significant win for both companies. Disney preserves visibility for ESPN’s expanding sports portfolio while reinforcing its upcoming streaming platform. YouTube TV, meanwhile, strengthens its competitive edge in the live TV space by securing the most sought-after sports rights in the U.S., now including WWE’s major events.

While pricing details remain undisclosed, both companies describe the agreement as “multi-year” and “strategic,” suggesting long-term integration between YouTube TV and Disney’s growing sports ecosystem.

For fans, it’s simple: the screens are back on, the channels are live again, and soon, YouTube TV subscribers will have access to an even bigger sports lineup that includes everything from Monday Night Football to WrestleMania.