Disney and YouTube TV Agreement Restores Channels

Disney and YouTube TV have signed a new agreement that brings channels like ABC and ESPN back to Google's live streaming platform. This ends approximately two weeks of disruption, allowing users to benefit from the service.

In a statement from The Walt Disney Co., it was said, "As part of the new agreement, all of Disney's networks and stations - including ESPN and ABC - have started to return to YouTube TV subscribers."

Disney content became unavailable on YouTube TV on the night of October 30; this situation arose because the two sides could not reach a new licensing agreement. In the following days, YouTube TV subscribers were unable to see Disney channels on the platform, which disrupted broadcasts of major college football games and professional sports events in the U.S.

Besides ESPN and ABC, other content owned by Disney and pulled from the YouTube TV platform included NatGeo, FX, Freeform, SEC Network, ACC Network, and more.

As the dispute escalated, YouTube TV stated that the terms requested by Disney were overly costly, meaning higher prices and fewer options for subscribers. The platform claimed that Disney was using the situation as "a negotiation tactic", arguing that this move also benefited Disney's own streaming products, such as Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.

On the other hand, Disney asserted that YouTube TV refused to pay reasonable fees for its channels. The California-based entertainment giant also accused Google of "abusing its market dominance". Senior executives criticized the platform for pulling the content, "prior to the midnight expiration of last month's agreements."

On November 3, Disney requested YouTube TV to restore the ABC program for Election Day on November 4; however, YouTube TV expressed that this temporary solution would confuse consumers and suggested bringing back both channels while negotiations continued.

This standoff is the latest example of increasing licensing disputes in today's streaming landscape. Consumers often bear the cost of such issues.

Streaming platforms are gradually replacing traditional broadcast systems as viewership demographics shift, leading to a rise in accumulated impressions over time. However, in an increasingly competitive environment, renewing carriage agreements can lead to tense contract negotiations and occasional service interruptions.

YouTube TV and Disney had previously experienced similar issues. In 2021, YouTube TV subscribers temporarily lost access to all Disney content due to a contractual breakdown between the two companies. This interruption lasted less than two days, and the parties eventually reached an agreement.

Meanwhile, due to expired contracts, YouTube TV has also removed other networks from its platform. The Spanish-language broadcaster Univision, for example, has not been available on YouTube TV since September 30. At that time, its parent company TelevisaUnivision criticized Google’s move, stating that "it would eliminate millions of viewers dependent on Spanish news, sports, and entertainment" and called on the platform to reconsider its decision.

The basic subscription plan for YouTube TV costs $82.99 a month; this includes live TV offerings from networks like NBC, CBS, Fox, and PBS, in addition to Disney content. The platform has stated that it will provide a $20 credit to subscribers if the ongoing dispute with Disney continues for "an extended period," and these credits can be requested starting November 9.

Disney also offers live TV through traditional broadcasting and its own streaming platforms. ESPN launched its own streaming service at the beginning of this year starting at $29.99 per month. Other Disney content is available on platforms like Hulu, Disney+, and Fubo. Disney currently offers ESPN in a bundle with Hulu and Disney+ for $35.99 or $29.99 per month for the first year.