Disney and YouTube TV reach new deal, ending dayslong blackout

Disney and YouTube TV have finally come to an agreement after a two-week blackout that left subscribers without popular channels like ABC and ESPN. The new deal allows Disney’s full suite of networks and stations to be restored to YouTube TV subscribers, just in time for fans to enjoy college football and other programming options over the weekend.

The blackout began on October 30 when the two companies failed to reach a new licensing deal. This left YouTube TV customers without access to Disney channels, disrupting coverage of top U.S. college football matchups, professional sports games, and other news and entertainment offerings. Beyond ESPN and ABC, other Disney-owned channels like NatGeo, FX, Freeform, SEC Network, and ACC Network were also removed from the platform.

During the dispute, YouTube TV accused Disney of proposing terms that would result in higher prices and fewer choices for subscribers. They also claimed that Disney was using the blackout as a negotiating tactic to benefit their own streaming products like Hulu + Live TV and Fubo. On the other hand, Disney accused YouTube TV of refusing to pay fair rates for their channels and using their market dominance to eliminate competition.

This blackout is just the latest in a series of licensing disputes in the streaming world, where consumers often bear the brunt of the consequences. Live programming that was once exclusive to broadcast TV is now making its way into the streaming world, leading to tense contract negotiations and service disruptions.

This isn’t the first time YouTube TV and Disney have faced off in a licensing dispute. In 2021, a similar breakdown in negotiations led to a brief blackout of all Disney content on the platform. The outage was resolved in less than two days, with the companies reaching an agreement. YouTube TV has also faced criticism for removing other networks like Univision from its platform due to expired agreements.

YouTube TV’s base subscription plan costs $82.99 per month and includes live TV offerings from networks like NBC, CBS, Fox, and PBS. The platform had promised subscribers a $20 credit if the dispute with Disney lasted an extended period of time, which customers could start claiming on November 9.

Disney offers live TV through traditional broadcasting as well as its own lineup of streaming platforms like ESPN, Hulu, Disney+, and Fubo. Subscribers can bundle ESPN with Hulu and Disney+ for $35.99 a month or $29.99 a month for the first year. Overall, the resolution of this dispute is good news for fans of Disney content who can now enjoy their favorite shows and sports events on YouTube TV once again.