YouTube TV and Disney have not announced a firm, public date for when ABC will be back on YouTube TV, and there is no confirmed restoration timeline as of early 2026.

What happened between YouTube TV and ABC?

  • ABC was removed from YouTube TV when Disney and Google (YouTube TVā€™s parent) failed to reach a new carriage agreement, which also affected ESPN and other Disney-owned channels.
  • The blackout began around October 30ā€“31, 2025, after their previous deal expired without renewal.

Are they talking about bringing ABC back?

  • YouTube TV has publicly proposed that Disney restore ABC and ESPN while negotiations continue, signaling that Google is willing to carry the channels during talks.
  • Disney has also pushed for at least temporary restoration of ABC for key events like major news and election coverage, but the companies remain apart on longā€‘term deal terms and pricing.

So when is YouTube getting ABC back?

  • There is no official ā€œreturn dateā€ from either Disney or YouTube TV, which means any specific date you see rumored on forums is speculation.
  • The most realistic expectation is that ABC returns only once Disney and YouTube TV sign a new multiā€‘year distribution deal, and neither side has publicly signaled that such a deal is imminent yet.

What can you do in the meantime?

  • Use a digital antenna to get your local ABC station over the air in most markets, which remains free if you are within range of a broadcast tower.
  • Consider alternate streaming TV providers that currently carry ABC and Disney networks (such as Hulu + Live TV or other live TV streamers), but check locally because lineups and promos can change over time.

TL;DR: If you are asking ā€œwhen is YouTube getting ABC back,ā€ the honest answer right now is: there is no confirmed date , only ongoing negotiations and proposals to temporarily restore the channel while they keep talking.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.