YouTube TV and Disney Reach Deal After Two-Week Blackout
After a two-week blackout, YouTube TV and Disney announced on Friday that they have finally reached a deal. This agreement not only brings back Disney networks like ABC, ESPN, and FX to YouTube’s streaming TV service but also includes ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer service at no extra cost. Additionally, YouTube will now have the ability to offer select Disney networks and the Disney+/Hulu bundle as part of various packages.
Disney Entertainment Co-Chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, along with ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro, expressed their satisfaction with the deal, stating that it “recognizes the tremendous value of Disney’s programming and provides YouTube TV subscribers with more flexibility and choice.” They also mentioned that the networks have been restored just in time for fans to enjoy the upcoming weekend programming, including college football.
YouTube released a statement on Friday assuring subscribers that the affected channels will be restored throughout the day. They apologized for the disruption and thanked subscribers for their patience during the negotiation process. YouTube TV, aimed at cord-cutters as a cable TV alternative, has faced disputes with major content providers in the past, mostly revolving around payment and content bundle flexibility.
During the previous renegotiation in 2022, there was a brief blackout similar to the recent one. This time, YouTube offered customers a $20 credit to apply to their next bill as a gesture of goodwill. Despite the blackout, a survey indicated that 24% of the service’s over 10 million subscribers had either canceled their subscription or were planning to do so soon. However, a YouTube spokesperson stated that the actual churn rate was manageable and did not align with the survey’s findings.
One affected user, Amanda Silberling, shared her frustration during the blackout, mentioning how not being able to watch “Jeopardy!” was ruining her life. Fortunately, with the restoration of the Disney networks, her two-week nightmare has come to an end.
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