If you have YouTube TV, you're waking up this morning to find all the Disney-owned networks missing from your channel guide, including ESPN and ABC. That's because, as of 12 a.m. ET this morning (Oct. 31), Disney's distribution deal with YouTube TV expired, and until these two companies strike a new deal, the popular live TV streaming service will be without Disney-owned channels.
So if you're like me, and you're now missing ESPN, ABC, The Disney Channel and over 20 Disney-owned channels no longer on YouTube TV, you might be scrambling to figure out what to do next. One solution you might be considering — especially since YouTube TV recommended it to customers in an email sent out this morning — is signing up for ESPN's streaming service, known as ESPN Unlimited. You also might be considering the Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited bundle, which ESPN is offering right now for $29.99 —the same price as ESPN Unlimited.
Malcolm is Tom's Guide's resident expert on live TV streaming services, having tested every single one for himself.
Why you should get the Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited bundle
If you're someone who is missing all the ESPN sports networks that just vanished from YouTube TV, then the Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited bundle is a great solution. With this bundle, you get every ESPN linear TV network: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNews, ESPN Deportes, ESPN on ABC, ESPN Plus, ESPN3, SEC Network Plus and ACC Network Extra. Plus, you get Disney Plus and Hulu, which, between the two streaming services, have nearly all the Disney shows and movies in existence.
So if your main concern is trying to replace ESPN, and you're not worried about replacing ABC or The Disney Channel, then this bundle is a great choice. Right now, ESPN is running a promotion where, for 12 months, you can get Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited all for just $29.99, which is the list price for just ESPN Unlimited. That means you're getting Disney Plus and Hulu for free. Once your 12 months are up, the bundle price reverts to $35.99 a month.
Why you shouldn't get the Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited bundle
If you are someone who watches all the non-ESPN channels owned by Disney, particularly ABC and The Disney Channel, then the Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited bundle might not be the best solution for you. While this bundle offers nearly everything Disney, it doesn't offer a live stream of your local ABC channel. And while shows and movies that debut on many Disney-owned networks can make their way to Disney Plus or Hulu as quickly as the same day they air on linear networks, shows that air on The Disney Channel often won't make their way to Disney Plus until after the season has aired in full on The Disney Channel.
So if you're someone who needs these specific channels, you might want to consider Hulu with Live TV rather than the Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited bundle. This live TV streaming service is very similar to YouTube TV — similar features, channels, etc. — and, since it's owned by Disney, it's not losing Disney-owned networks, ever. Plus, you get the Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited bundle included in your subscription for free.
Plus, right now, you can get Hulu with Live TV for just $64.99 a month for your first three months. That's $18 a month less than the $82.99 list price for YouTube TV, and still $8 cheaper than YouTube TV's current introductory offer, which is $10 off a month for your first three months of YouTube TV. Once your three-month promotional period expires, the price for Hulu with Live TV reverts to $89.99 a month.
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