NEW YORK (AP) – Disney content has gone dark on YouTube TV, leaving subscribers of the Google-owned live streaming platform without access to major networks such as ESPN and ABC. This disruption follows the expiration of a carriage agreement between the two companies, leading to a blackout as they failed to reach a new licensing deal.
The disagreement could have significant ramifications for viewers, particularly affecting coverage of U.S. college football matchups over the weekend, as well as NBA and NFL games. This blackout adds to the already existing disruptions in news and entertainment content available to YouTube TV subscribers.
YouTube TV, which costs $82.99 per month for its base subscription, reported that Disney is proposing licensing terms that would raise prices and limit choices for its subscribers. Google accused Disney of using the threat of a blackout as a negotiating tactic to boost its own streaming services, including Hulu + Live TV and Fubo. Conversely, Disney contends that YouTube TV has declined to pay fair rates for its channels and is therefore denying its subscribers access to content they value.
The channels affected include some of the most popular resources for sports and entertainment. Notable channels that are no longer accessible on YouTube TV include ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and ABC, as well as Disney Channel, FX, NatGeo, and several others focused on U.S. college athletic regions. A full list of impacted channels includes:
- ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, and ESPN Deportes (Spanish Plan)
- ABC and ABC News Live
- Nat Geo, Nat Geo Wild, and Nat Geo Mundo (Spanish Plan)
- Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD
- FX, FXX, and FXM
- SEC Network and ACC Network
- Freeform
- Localish
- Baby TV Español (Spanish Plan)
Due to this blackout, YouTube TV subscribers who wish to watch Disney content may need to turn to Disney’s own platforms, which come at an additional cost. ESPN has launched its own streaming service, available for $29.99 a month, while content from Disney can also be found on Hulu, Disney+, and Fubo. Disney offers a bundle of ESPN, Hulu, and Disney+ for $35.99 a month, or $29.99 for the first year. Those who do not have subscriptions to these platforms during the blackout will be left without access to Disney content.
YouTube TV has expressed understanding of the frustration this dispute causes for subscribers and stated it is committed to finding a resolution. However, the timeline for when the dispute might end remains uncertain. This incident marks one among several recent licensing disputes affecting content access for consumers, as live programming increasingly moves to streaming platforms amid growing competition in the sector.
YouTube TV and Disney have experienced similar situations in the past. In 2021, YouTube TV subscribers briefly lost access to all Disney content for a few days due to a contract breakdown before reaching a new agreement. While some past disputes have lasted only hours, this stalemate showcases the complexities of renewing carriage agreements in an industry where consumers are migrating from traditional cable or satellite subscriptions to online content.
In conclusion, the YouTube TV and Disney impasse highlights the ongoing challenges within the streaming market, as consumers continue to seek their preferred content amidst shifting provider agreements.
