YouTube TV & ESPN's 'Unlimited' Potential

Nov 17, 2025

The discussion dives into the intriguing partnership between YouTube TV and ESPN, highlighting its significance in the evolving media landscape. A heartfelt tribute to legendary hockey writer Larry Brooks showcases his impact on the sport. Drew Brees' rocky debut on Fox Sports stirs up mixed opinions, while the tension between Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee grabs attention, likened to 'The Real Housewives of Bristol.' Lastly, the podcast critiques lengthy disputes in media negotiations, advocating for swift resolutions.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

ESPN + YouTube TV: Complementary Power

ESPN's new 'Unlimited' direct-to-consumer app within YouTube TV positions both companies as complementary leaders in sports distribution.
Andrew Marchand argues this pairing will drive 'the great rebundling' because ESPN's rights plus YouTube TV's growth and Sunday Ticket create unique scale.

INSIGHT

YouTube TV's Subscriber Momentum Matters

YouTube TV is closing in on traditional MVPD subscriber counts and already holds Sunday Ticket, giving it leverage in sports bundling.
Marchand sees this subscriber momentum plus ESPN's content as central to how major sports will be rebundled going forward.

ANECDOTE

Larry Brooks' Enduring Reporting Legacy

Andrew Marchand recalls Larry Brooks as a dominant, passionate New York Post hockey writer whose work stayed essential across newspapers, internet, and TV.
Marchand highlights Brooks' ability to make niche topics compelling and calls him 'one of the great ones.'

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.andrewmarchand.com

In the 31-minute sports media podcast, Andrew Marchand and Jon Meterparel explain why the YouTube TV and Disney agreement shows where ‘The Great Rebundling” is going and why ESPN and YouTube TV will be tied together.

The duo discuss “The Real Housewives of Bristol” as Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee have a lot of beefs. Plus, Drew Brees’ debut, the MLS-Apple deal and a tribute to the legendary hockey writer, Larry Brooks.

For access to our twice-a-week podcasts sign-up as a free or paid subscriber at AndrewMarchand.com

The Rundown …

* Why the Great Bundling will likely feature a continued important partnership between ESPN and YouTube TV

* A tribute to the legendary Larry Brooks

* Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy and Britney Spears

* Suggestions on how YouTube TV & ESPN can avoid wasting two weeks of our time in the next go-around

* Drew Brees review of his Fox Sports debut

* Why the point of ESPN Unlimited is a bit misunderstood

* People just wanted to know when the YouTube TV-Disney fight was over

* Google buying Sunday Ticket for $2 billion per season was very important for the future of The Great Rebundling

* “The Real Housewives of Bristol, CT”

* ESPN should be known for games, not sniping

* Stephen A. didn’t need to respond to Michelle Beadle

* Why Pat McAfee should not tell viewers to F-off

* Beadle was totally wrong praying for Smith’s downfall

* Should McAfee & ESPN have had President Trump on during its Veterans Day show

* Fox Sports’ NFL analyst depth with Tom Brady, Greg Olsen and Drew Brees is very impressive

* Brees has room to improve after his first game, but give him credit for going back on games

* Brees has potential

* Surprise, surprise, MLS-Apple redo their deal

* The lessons for the big leagues in light of MLS-Apple

* Cakes are baking

* Cleveland rocks!

* Hans Schroeder is the guest for the next “Off The Record with Andrew Marchand presented by WSC Sports” on Thursday, Dec. 11th in midtown. It is free to attend, though, space is limited. Sign-up here.

* On Deck: Frank Isola is The Main Event

* Subscribe at AndrewMarchand.com