Ahead of YouTube Red’s arrival, all ESPN channels disappear from the site
The YouTube Red subscription service, which was announced last week, has claimed a major victim. As first noted by TechCrunch, all of ESPN’s videos and channels have been removed from YouTube.
Anyone now heading to the ESPN, ESPN1stTake, SportsNationESPN, TheNBAonESPN, His And Hers, GameDayESPN, and ESPNU channels are greeted with a message that says no content is available. The main ESPN channel has more than 1.6 million subscribers.
The main ESPN channel has more than 1.6 million subscribers.
ESPN owner Disney does have a deal with YouTube regarding the subscription service. But various rights issues forced ESPN to remove its content. The network only issued a quick statement about the issue:
“ESPN is not currently part of the Red service. Content previously available on the free YouTube service will be available across ESPN digital properties.”
YouTube has come under fire for requiring all content creators, no matter how small, join YouTube Red. If they don’t, all of their content will be removed – including videos available to non-subscribers.
Officially arriving tomorrow, the service allows users to view videos in an ad-free environment. You can also download videos to watch later without an Internet connection.
For iOS users, it will be available through the YouTube app. It can also be accessed from the Apple TV or Mac. But there is a substantial catch for Apple fans. While it will be available on Android devices, the desktop, and mobile Web for $9.99 per month, you’ll have to shell out $12.99 monthly to receive the features on your iPhone or iPad. Because Apple takes 30 percent of any subscription revenue from apps, YouTube is passing the buck (and the bill) directly to consumers.
When it launches, viewers in the United States can try the service with a one-month free trial.
Starting early next year, YouTube Red members will receive access to new original shows and movies from some of the service’s biggest stars like PewDiePie, CollegeHumor, Joey Graceffa, and many others.
For other news today, see: Kohl’s store credit card can now be used with Apple Pay, Starting in Germany, carrier billing rolls out to iTunes, and Don’t expect to get chart info from Siri if you aren’t subscribed to Apple Music.