Copyright Newsweek
With a packed slate of college football and NFL games heading into the weekend, the ongoing feud between Disney and Google shows no signs of slowing, leaving YouTube TV subscribers hoping to watch ESPN content scrambling for alternatives. The dispute has drawn significant backlash from sports fans and is causing major disruptions in viewership, with a second consecutive weekend of missed ESPN programming looming unless something unprecedented happens in the next 24 hours. However, that seems unlikely following the latest update from The Athletic's Andrew Marchand, who reported that the two sides “remain far apart” in their negotiations. If the stalemate continues, fans would continue losing access not only to ESPN channels, but also to ABC, which airs some of the top college football games on Saturdays. Should it extend into Monday night, viewers might even miss the highly anticipated matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles. “When these deals turn from stalemate to an agreement, it happens quickly,” Marchand wrote. “But there is pessimism at the moment, leaving 10 million YouTube TV subscribers to decide when and where to find alternatives for a second straight weekend.” More NFL: Antonio Brown, Former NFL Star, Arrested on Attempted Murder Charge More NFL: Browns Player Gives Up Money Just to Leave Cleveland Fans remain frustrated as consumers continue to bear the brunt of the ongoing feud. "Immature behavior," a fan said. Someone else added: "The fact that you can be a subscriber to Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ and still not be entitled to watch MNF online without paying for another subscription shows are greedy these folks are - screw them." Another person wrote: "Pretty sure we all know how this is going to end… YouTube will cave to the almighty, and then pass the buck on to subscribers. And so it goes." "Ridiculous! Thanks for another weekend without @CollegeGameDay #CollegeFootball," one more fan commented. A resolution is likely inevitable, as one side will eventually have to compromise or both will find common ground. The bigger question is how long this standoff can continue, leaving consumers in the lurch during one of the busiest times of the year for sports. College football and the NFL are in full swing, the NBA season is underway, and college basketball just tipped off — all sports content that is heavily featured across ESPN platforms that fans are missing out on.
