Disney's quarrel with YouTube TV over carriage fees -- the costs incurred by YouTube TV to carry Disney programs, including ESPN— has already spilled into the college game, leading to an outage that prevented YouTube TV subscribers from accessing 25 contests over the weekend.
Now, it threatens to leak into the professional game, too. The Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals are slated to joust under ESPN's "Monday Night Football" banner tonight. At present, YouTube TV users will be unable to watch on as the festivities unfold.
ESPN's on-air personalities have taken a corporate-backed stand in recent days, calling on YouTube TV users to complain about the streaming platform's actions in negotiations. Still, an agreement on the deal doesn't appear on the horizon — at least not as of 1 p.m. ET.
With that, here's what you need to know about tonight's "Monday Night Football" broadcast, including why it's not being aired on YouTube TV.
MORE:Explaining YouTube TV-ESPN contract dispute
Why is Cowboys-Cardinals not on YouTube TV?
At present, YouTube TV subscribers are unable to access ESPN programming — including "Monday Night Football." The blackout is related to YouTube TV's ongoing contract dispute with Disney.
YouTube TV users were greeted with a blackout when attempting to watch college football games aired on ESPN networks during the weekend. There were hopes that "Monday Night Football" — a program which routinely draws more than 10 million viewers — could push YouTube TV and Disney closer to a deal. But that doesn't appear to be the case. Disney cut off its channels for YouTube TV subscribers on Friday, Oct. 31. That ban hasn't been lifted as of Monday, Nov. 3.
YouTube TV subscribers will also be unable to watch the game through ESPN+.
MORE:Three streaming options to watch football and more amid ESPN-YouTube TV dispute
ESPN and YouTube TV dispute updates
ESPN and YouTube TV's stalemate turned nuclear over the weekend, with Disney blocking YouTube TV from airing any of its programming upon the conclusion of its last contract on Oct. 31.
The parties have engaged in a war of words in the days since the contract's expiry, with YouTube TV claiming that Disney's pursuit of profits is to blame for the outage.
“Disney is proposing costly economic terms that would raise prices for YouTube TV customers and give our customers fewer choices, while benefitting Disney’s own live TV products,” YouTube TV said in a statement.
Disney executives responded with fury, accusing YouTube TV of "exploiting its position at the expense of its customers."
MORE:Latest news, updates in YouTube TV-ESPN dispute
“We invest significantly in our content, and expect our partners to pay fair rates that recognize that value," Disney said. "If we don’t reach a fair deal soon, YouTube TV customers will lose access to ESPN and ABC, and all our marquee programming -- including the NFL, college football, NBA, and NHL seasons -- and so much more.”
No agreement has been reached as of 12 p.m. ET on the day of the game. YouTube TV is offering subscribers a $20 credit in light of the feud.
How to watch Monday Night Football without YouTube TV
ESPN is available through a number of different alternate streaming platforms, including Fubo, which offers prospective subscribers a free trial.
Streaming Option Cable subscription needed Free Cost Free Trial?
Fubo No No $54.99/month Yes
NFL+ (mobile only) No No $6.99/month Yes
NFL+ Premium No No $14.99/month Yes
Sling TV No No $45.99/month Yes
Hulu + Live TV No No $82.99/month Yes