NBC Sports Network launches on YouTube TV as Disney’s ABC, ESPN blacked out

NBCUniversal is bringing back NBC Sports Network four years after shutting it down, launching the revived channel next week on YouTube TV as Disney’s blackout on the platform drags on.

The 24/7 sports network will debut Monday exclusively on YouTube TV before rolling out on Xfinity and other distributors, NBCUniversal announced Thursday.

NBCSN shut down in December 2021, with its programming redistributed to the USA Network, CNBC and Peacock.

News of the network’s revival was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

NBCSN will feature live NBA games, Premier League soccer, Big Ten football, WNBA games and golf majors, according to NBCUniversal.

The network will also carry MLB games under a soon-to-be-announced agreement.

Disney-owned ESPN and ABC have been unavailable for some 10 million subscribers on YouTube TV since Oct. 30.

Disney and YouTube’s owner Google remain mired in a fight over carriage fees.

The House of Mouse is pushing for rate hikes that Google has refused to accept, while Google wants Disney to agree to new programming tiers that could let subscribers drop certain networks.

The blackout is costing Disney an estimated $30 million a week, or $4.3 million a day, according to analysts. It is also putting a dent in ratings for subsidiary ABC.

Disney and Google have not announced any progress toward resolving their dispute.

Disney Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston said the company is preparing for a long blackout.

“We’re ready to go as long as they want to,” he said on CNBC.

Meanwhile, the new NBCSN gives the platform a major sports offering just as the NBA season heats up and college football enters its final stretch.

NBCSN will also feature daily Olympic coverage during the 2026 Winter Olympics, including “Gold Zone” hosted by Scott Hanson.

The network will also carry cycling events like the Tour de France and horse racing coverage, including the Kentucky Derby.

Sports talk shows will round out NBCSN’s programming, including “PFT Live,” “The Dan Patrick Show,” “The Dan Le Batard Show” and “Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry.”

During its first go-around, NBCSN was known for NHL, NASCAR and cycling coverage.

These days, networks including ESPN have rights to NHL games. NASCAR will not return to NBCSN, with cable broadcasts remaining on the USA Network.

The new NBCSN is designed to bring Peacock-exclusive content to linear TV, including a Monday night NBA package. Much of the programming will also remain available on Peacock.

NBCSN ranked as the second most-watched cable sports network in the US in 2020, before NBCUniversal shut it down at the end of 2021.

The network’s revival comes as NBCUniversal prepares to spin off most of its cable channels into a new company called Versant.

The spinoff is expected to include CNBC, MSNBC and the USA Network, while Bravo will remain with NBCUniversal.

NBCUniversal did not disclose financial terms of its NBCSN deal with YouTube TV.

“NBCUniversal delivers the biggest moments in sports, and the new NBC Sports Network gives pay-TV customers a seamless way to enjoy the wide range of sports in our portfolio,” said Matt Schnaars, president of platform distribution and partnerships at NBCUniversal.