**Disney and YouTube TV Reach New Deal to End Two-Week Blackout**
Disney and YouTube TV have reached a new agreement to bring channels like ABC and ESPN back to the Google-owned live streaming platform, ending a blackout that lasted about two weeks.
“As part of the new deal, Disney’s full suite of networks and stations including ESPN and ABC have already begun to be restored to YouTube TV subscribers,” The Walt Disney Company said in a statement. “We are pleased that our networks have been restored in time for fans to enjoy the many great programming options this weekend, including college football.”
Disney content went dark on YouTube TV on the night of October 30, after the two sides failed to reach a new licensing agreement. During the blackout, YouTube TV subscribers were left without Disney channels, disrupting coverage of major U.S. college football matchups, professional sports games, and other popular news and entertainment offerings.
In addition to ESPN and ABC, other Disney-owned networks removed from YouTube TV during the dispute included NatGeo, FX, Freeform, SEC Network, ACC Network, and more.
At the height of the carriage dispute, YouTube TV accused Disney of proposing terms that were too costly, which would have resulted in higher prices and fewer choices for subscribers. The platform also claimed Disney used the blackout as a negotiating tactic to benefit its own streaming services like Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.
Disney, on the other hand, argued that YouTube TV refused to pay fair rates for its channels. The entertainment giant also accused Google of using its market dominance to stifle competition and criticized the platform for pulling content before the midnight expiration of the previous agreement.
On November 3, Disney asked YouTube TV to restore ABC programming for Election Day on November 4, emphasizing the need to put “the public interest first.” However, YouTube TV declined the temporary arrangement, stating it would confuse customers. Instead, the platform proposed restoring both ABC and ESPN channels while continuing negotiations.
This blackout is the latest example of growing licensing disputes in the streaming industry. Consumers often bear the brunt of these disagreements. As more viewers cut the cord and transition to online content, live programming that was once exclusive to broadcast TV increasingly appears on streaming platforms. However, this shift has also led to tense contract negotiations and occasional service disruptions.
YouTube TV and Disney have experienced similar issues before. In 2021, YouTube TV subscribers briefly lost access to all Disney content after another contract breakdown. That outage lasted less than two days before the companies reached a new agreement.
YouTube TV has also lost other networks from its platform due to expired agreements. For example, Spanish-language broadcaster Univision has been unavailable since September 30. Its parent company, TelevisaUnivision, condemned Google’s move, stating it deprived “millions of Hispanic viewers of the Spanish-language news, sports, and entertainment they rely on every day,” and urged YouTube TV to reverse the decision.
YouTube TV’s base subscription plan costs $82.99 per month. Beyond Disney content, the service offers live TV from networks such as NBC, CBS, Fox, PBS, and more. The platform announced it would issue a $20 credit to subscribers if the dispute with Disney lasted “an extended period of time,” allowing customers to start claiming the credit as of November 9.
Disney distributes live TV through both traditional broadcasting and its streaming platforms. ESPN launched its own streaming service earlier this year, starting at $29.99 per month. Other Disney content is available on Hulu, Disney+, and Fubo.
Currently, Disney offers a bundle including ESPN, Hulu, and Disney+ for $35.99 per month—or $29.99 per month for the first year.
https://ktar.com/national-news/disney-reaches-new-deal-with-youtube-tv-ending-dayslong-blackout-for-customers/5776505/