Disney and YouTube TV have
ended a 15-day blackout
involving major channels like ESPN and ABC, bringing back service to nearly 10 million users through a new multi-year contract. The agreement,
jointly revealed by both companies
, restores Disney’s complete channel lineup and adds ESPN Unlimited—Disney’s latest streaming platform—at no extra charge for YouTube TV subscribers until 2026. This settlement
resolves a heated conflict
over carriage fees and pricing that had left viewers without vital programming, such as live sports and election news.
This impasse, one of the lengthiest in the streaming era, saw both parties blaming each other for negotiating in bad faith.
YouTube TV argued that Disney’s fee demands
would drive up subscription prices and reduce consumer options, while
Disney
claimed Google’s dominant position
enabled it to "undercut standard industry agreements." The dispute interrupted key broadcasts, including college football and ESPN’s Monday Night Football, and
prompted YouTube TV to give affected users a $20 credit
as compensation.
Disney was also criticized
for allegedly prioritizing its own services, such as Hulu + Live TV, during the talks.
Under the new pact,
YouTube TV’s content selection grows
by including Disney’s streaming platforms like Hulu and Disney+ with its live TV bundles.
The deal also introduces genre-based channel packages, giving subscribers more customized viewing options.
Disney’s leadership highlighted the agreement
as being in step with changing audience habits, saying, "This demonstrates our dedication to providing outstanding entertainment as viewers decide how they want to watch." At the same time,
YouTube TV described the outcome
as a positive for customers, emphasizing that it maintains the platform’s value and adaptability for the future.
This conflict
is part of a larger trend
of licensing disputes in the streaming sector. In 2021, Disney and YouTube TV temporarily removed Disney content during similar negotiations. Other services, such as Univision, have also lost access after contracts lapsed, highlighting the instability of carriage agreements. YouTube TV’s base plan, now $82.99 per month, once again features Disney channels alongside networks like NBC and CBS, though users must wait until December 9 to redeem the $20 credit.
Industry experts see the agreement
as a calculated decision by both firms.
Disney’s latest quarterly results
missed analyst projections, and this deal could help steady its streaming revenue. For YouTube TV,
keeping Disney’s programming
is essential in a crowded market where competitors like Fubo and Hulu + Live TV compete for viewers. The agreement also prevents further harm to both brands’ reputations, with both sides settling on terms that balance business interests and consumer access.
