Fans of Notre Dame football are in a tough spot this season. A contract dispute between YouTube TV and The Walt Disney Company has thrown a wrench into things.
Disney-owned channels like ESPN and ABC have gone dark on YouTube TV. That means Notre Dame’s away games, usually shown on those channels, might not be available for subscribers.
People are scrambling to find other ways to watch. It’s a mess, honestly.
The Impact of the YouTube TV and Disney Dispute
This contract standoff is a real headache for Notre Dame fans. ESPN and ABC are essential for their away games, and now they’re just… gone from YouTube TV.
Fans are left hanging, unable to watch their team play on the road. It’s not what anyone signed up for.
Notre Dame’s Home Games Unaffected
Thankfully, the home games aren’t caught up in this drama. NBC still has the rights, so those games are safe for YouTube TV subscribers.
So if you’re looking forward to Navy or Syracuse coming to town, you’re covered. Here are the details:
- Nov. 8: vs Navy at 7:30 p.m. on NBC
- Nov. 22: vs Syracuse at 3:30 p.m. on NBC
Notre Dame’s Away Games in Jeopardy
The real issue is with away games. Thanks to Notre Dame’s scheduling deal with the ACC, those games usually end up on Disney-owned channels.
Unless the contract gets sorted out, fans will be missing out on some big matchups.
Upcoming Away Games
Here’s what’s at risk for YouTube TV subscribers:
- Nov. 1: at Boston College, 3:30 p.m. on ESPN
- Nov. 15: at Pittsburgh, TBA
- Nov. 29: at Stanford, TBA
Alternative Viewing Options
If you’re determined to watch, there are a few workarounds. Fubo is one option, and they toss in a free trial with Disney-owned channels included.
It’s not perfect, but it might get you through the games you care about.
Streaming Services
These services are worth checking out for Notre Dame football:
- Fubo: Free trial, includes ESPN and other Disney channels.
- SiriusXM: Radio coverage on Channel 129.
Details of the Dispute
This whole mess started when the contract between YouTube TV and Disney expired. Disney claims Google is using its market muscle to squeeze out competition and push for unfair terms.
YouTube TV, for its part, says Disney’s demands would mean higher prices for customers. So, yeah, both sides are pointing fingers.
Statements from Both Sides
A Disney spokesperson says they’re committed to working out a deal quickly. They accuse Google of negotiating unfairly.
YouTube TV responded with frustration, saying they’re disappointed in Disney’s tactics and are trying to make a fair agreement happen.
Previous Disputes
Honestly, this isn’t new for YouTube TV. In just the last couple of months, they’ve had similar fights with Fox and NBCUniversal.
Those eventually got resolved, but this standoff with Disney is still dragging on.
Potential Resolutions
Both sides are under pressure to fix this soon. Fans are hoping for a deal before the season ends, because missing more games would really sting.
If the blackout drags out, YouTube TV says they’ll offer subscribers a $20 credit. Not exactly a touchdown, but it’s something.
Conclusion
The contract dispute between YouTube TV and Disney has thrown a wrench into things for Notre Dame football fans. Home games on NBC are safe, but away games? Those might just vanish from your usual lineup.
If you’re worried about missing out, it might be worth checking out other streaming options like Fubo. Nobody wants to scramble at the last minute for a way to watch the game.
There’s no telling when YouTube TV and Disney will settle this. Maybe soon, maybe not. Until then, it’s a waiting game for fans hoping to get those Disney-owned channels back.
For more details or if you just want to double-check how to catch the next Notre Dame game, take a look at the IndyStar article.
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