Disney’s networks, including ESPN and ABC, have disappeared from YouTube TV, leaving subscribers in the dark. The removal came just 30 minutes before the previous carriage deal expired, as Disney and Google were unable to reach an agreement on renewal terms. The main point of contention was the price, with Disney asking for rate hikes that Google was not willing to agree to.
YouTube TV announced that if Disney’s channels remained unavailable for an extended period, subscribers would receive a one-time $20 credit. This blackout means that viewers across the country will lose access to their local ABC stations and popular sports programming on ESPN, including NFL, college football, NBA, and NHL games.
Google stated that YouTube TV would start removing Disney-owned networks from its service at 9 p.m. PT on October 30/12 a.m. ET on October 31. However, some users reported losing access to Disney programming even before the deadline. In addition to live networks, YouTube TV is also deleting any DVR recordings users have made from those channels.
Disney had been warning viewers since October 23 about the potential removal of its networks from YouTube TV. The dispute affects the largest internet-TV service in the U.S., with over 10 million subscribers. Following YouTube TV is Disney, which recently merged its Hulu + Live TV business with Fubo, totaling almost 6 million subscribers in North America.
A YouTube spokesperson expressed disappointment in Disney’s decision to suspend their content on YouTube TV, stating that it directly harms subscribers while benefiting Disney’s own live TV services. Disney, on the other hand, accused YouTube TV of refusing to pay fair rates for their channels, including ESPN and ABC, and using its market dominance to eliminate competition.
The list of networks being removed from YouTube TV includes ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Freeform, FX, Disney Channel, National Geographic, and more. This dispute is not the first time media conglomerates have clashed with Google over YouTube TV, with Univision being one of the networks dropped in a previous disagreement.
In past years, Disney has faced similar battles with other providers, leading to blackouts before reaching new agreements. Despite the current standoff with Google, Disney and Google have previously settled disputes over carriage renewals after short blackouts. Justin Connolly, Disney’s former head of distribution, even joined YouTube earlier this year, adding an interesting twist to the ongoing conflict.
As the situation between Disney and Google continues, subscribers are left without access to some of their favorite networks and programming. The outcome of this dispute remains uncertain, but both parties are working towards a resolution to restore Disney’s networks to YouTube TV.
