After a two-week blackout that removed all Disney-owned channels from the service, YouTube TV and Disney reached a new agreement. Their latest deal once again restored key Disney properties on YouTube TV, including major sports channels. However, Puck’s John Ourand reports that YouTube TV’s new ESPN Unlimited access deal has excluded content from MLB.
YouTube TV’s ESPN Unlimited deal has excluded MLB.TV access
According to the report, YouTube TV’s new Disney deal’s ESPN Unlimited upgrade has excluded MLB.TV. Instead, MLB’s out-of-market streaming service is soon moving to the ESPN application. Starting in 2026, MLB.TV will integrate its content into the ESPN app and won’t be available through any third-party distributors, including YouTube TV.
Baseball fans will feel disappointed by the news and may need to subscribe to MLB.TV on their own. The new collaboration is a real setback for those who use YouTube TV to stream out-of-market baseball. So, even though the new YouTube TV and Disney deal boosts ESPN content on the former’s platform, it removes an important service many baseball fans rely on.
Exactly what the ESPN Unlimited deal is getting you
Google’s new ESPN Unlimited deal for YouTube TV gives its subscribers access to all ESPN channels and extra sports content at no additional cost. This package delivers live sports events and on-demand shows from the ESPN network. It’s certainly a strong update for general sports lovers on YouTube TV. However, MLB.TV doesn’t come with the bundle because it has opted to centralize its service under the ESPN app.
The latest YouTube TV and Disney deal improves value for most sports lovers, but serious baseball fans may feel left out. It’s important to note that there hasn’t been an official announcement about the matter, but one will likely come soon.
