YouTube TV Subscribers Get Free ESPN Unlimited After Disney Deal
YouTube TV and Disney have resolved their dispute, restoring ESPN, ABC, and other Disney channels after a two-week blackout. As part of the new agreement, YouTube TV subscribers will receive free access to ESPN Unlimited, Disney’s comprehensive sports streaming service.
Key Takeaways
- Free ESPN Unlimited access for all YouTube TV subscribers
- Includes ESPN+, live linear channels, and WWE Premium Live Events
- Service normally costs $29.99/month when purchased separately
- Activation requires simple TV provider login process
“We’re happy to share that we’ve reached a deal to continue carrying Disney content. We appreciated your patience while we negotiated on your behalf.Any recordings that were previously in your library and your personal preferences/recommendations will be just as you left them. We’ll be launching your local ABC stations as quickly as we can, and they should be accessible shortly,” reads the notice on YouTube TV Help page.
What is ESPN Unlimited?
ESPN Unlimited combines every ESPN linear network, ESPN on ABC broadcasts, ESPN+ programming, and WWE Premium Live Events into one platform. This represents everything ESPN offers except MLB.tv. The service typically costs $29.99 monthly when purchased directly.
For sports and wrestling fans, this addition is significant. While YouTube TV already carried ESPN’s linear channels, ESPN+ content and WWE’s monthly premium events were previously excluded.
How to Activate ESPN Unlimited on YouTube TV
Once Disney completes the rollout, YouTube TV subscribers can activate ESPN Unlimited using these steps:
- Visit the ESPN Unlimited app or website
- Select “Log In” or “Sign In With TV Provider”
- Choose “YouTube TV” from the provider list
- Sign in with your Google account linked to YouTube TV
- Confirm activation within the ESPN Unlimited app
Eligible accounts will unlock the full ESPN Unlimited catalog, including ESPN+, live linear feeds, and WWE Premium Live Events.
Current Access Issues
Despite the announcement, ESPN Unlimited remains unavailable for most YouTube TV customers. Similar authentication problems are affecting Xfinity users who were already supposed to have access. Disney hasn’t provided a timeline for when the service will be fully operational, but YouTube TV will notify subscribers when access becomes available.
