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Why some Utah football fans could have trouble watching the Utes vs. Cincinnati this weekend

If a deal between ESPN and YouTube TV isn’t reached by Saturday, fans might have to watch the game elsewhere.

(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham makes an appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay college football show on the university campus in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.

Utah football fans who subscribe to YouTube TV might have to look elsewhere to watch their favorite team this weekend.

More than 10 million YouTube TV customers lost access to ESPN, ABC and other Walt Disney Co. channels after contract talks with Disney broke down on Thursday night. For now, that means Ute fans subscribed to the service won’t be able to watch No. 24 Utah take on No. 17 Cincinnati on Saturday (8:15 p.m. MDT, ESPN).

Fans will also be unable to tune into other ESPN programs taking place in Salt Lake City on Friday, including “The Pat McAfee Show,” “College Football Live” and “SportsCenter.”

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes running back Wayshawn Parker (1) runs the ball into the endzone for a touchdown during the game between the Utah Utes and the Colorado Buffaloes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.

“Despite our best efforts, we have not been able to reach a fair deal, and starting today, Disney programming will not be available on YouTube TV,” the streaming service said in a statement posted to social media on Oct. 30. “... We know how disruptive it is to lose channels you enjoy, and we’re committed to continuing to work with Disney to reach an agreement.”

If a deal isn’t reached by Saturday, ESPN’s “College GameDay” show will also be blacked out. The premier college football pre-game show is set to return to the University of Utah for the first time since 2023.

Former Utah quarterback Alex Smith is appearing on the panel as the show’s guest picker. Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham is also set to come on air.