YouTube TV could get channel bundles soon — here's what that means for you

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The new YouTube TV/Disney deal could give you more options to cut the cord

YouTube TV logo on a phone in front of a TV
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Over the weekend, YouTube TV and Disney finally ended their two-week contract dispute, returning ESPN, ABC and other Disney-owned channels to YouTube's live TV streaming service. But this new deal doesn't just get ESPN back on YouTube TV; it also hints at a future where the cable TV alternative can offer skinnier genre-specific packages.

“Select networks to be included in various genre-specific packages.”

Disney announcement on YouTube TV deal

This isn't the first we've heard of such a possibility. Earlier this year, 9to5Google reported that YouTube TV was considering a “Sports & Broadcast” package during its negotiations with Fox. At the time, it would have specifically focused on Fox-owned channels, including FS1 and Fox News. But now, it seems Disney may be on board with a "Sports & Broadcast" package as well.

Disney has a complicated history with allowing these skinny streaming packages. DirecTV currently offers Genre Packs that include Disney-owned channels and streaming services, as does Fubo. But Disney has also sued Sling TV over its new Day Passes, which offer access to live channels for a day, weekend or week, rather than making potential subscribers pay for a full monthly subscription. It's worth noting, though, that Sling just won a preliminary injunction in that case.

Now, as for what could be in this hypothetical new "Sports & Broadcast" plan? That's still very much under wraps. But we would expect it to probably include ESPN, ESPN 2 and other Disney-owned sports networks, as well as ABC and access to the ESPN Unlimited streaming service. Anything beyond that would require buy-in from other companies such as Fox, Paramount (owns CBS) and Comcast (owns NBC), though it seems Fox at least is theoretically open to the idea.

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Scott Younker
Scott Younker
West Coast Reporter

Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. He also handles all the Connections coverage on Tom's Guide and has been playing the addictive NYT game since it released.

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