Google's YouTube TV service has pulled Disney-owned networks including ESPN and ABC from its platform, with the move happening just hours before a deal renewal was set to expire. The dispute centers on price, with Disney seeking rate hikes that Google is unwilling to agree to.
As of 9 p.m. PT yesterday, or midnight ET last night, YouTube TV removed live feeds for ABC, ESPN, and other networks from its service, causing a blackout for millions of subscribers. In addition to dropping the live networks, YouTube TV also deleted any DVR recordings users had made from those channels.
Disney began warning viewers on October 23 that it would pull its content if a deal wasn't reached with YouTube TV by midnight ET on October 31. Google responded by removing the networks, citing a lack of progress in negotiations over price.
The move is likely to cause significant disruptions for sports fans and users who rely on ABC's local stations for news and programming. NFL, college football, NBA, and NHL games will no longer be available, while Disney Channel, Freeform, and other networks are also gone.
YouTube TV has proposed new tiers and flexibility in its packaging, but the two sides have failed to find common ground. Google claims that YouTube TV is seeking a better deal than other providers, including Comcast and Charter, which have more customers.
Disney disputes this claim, saying that YouTube TV is refusing to pay market rates for Disney's networks or agree to terms similar to those reached with its own Hulu + Live TV and Fubo services.
In a statement, a YouTube spokesperson said: "We know this is a frustrating and disappointing outcome for our subscribers... We continue to urge Disney to work with us constructively to reach a fair agreement that restores their networks to YouTube TV. If their content remains off YouTube TV for an extended period of time, we'll offer subscribers a $20 credit."
Disney has accused Google of using its market dominance to eliminate competition and undercut industry-standard terms.
The move comes as part of a larger battle between Disney and Google over carriage renewal agreements. Other media conglomerates, including Paramount Global, Fox Corp., and NBCUniversal, have reached new deals with Google without a blackout.
In 2023, Disney and Charter resolved their differences over a renewal agreement, while in 2024, ESPN and other Disney networks went dark on DirecTV before reaching a deal. Earlier this month, Disney inked a carriage renewal pact with Comcast without issue.
The dispute is the latest chapter in the long-standing relationship between Disney and Google, which has seen several carriage renewals and blackouts over the years.
As of 9 p.m. PT yesterday, or midnight ET last night, YouTube TV removed live feeds for ABC, ESPN, and other networks from its service, causing a blackout for millions of subscribers. In addition to dropping the live networks, YouTube TV also deleted any DVR recordings users had made from those channels.
Disney began warning viewers on October 23 that it would pull its content if a deal wasn't reached with YouTube TV by midnight ET on October 31. Google responded by removing the networks, citing a lack of progress in negotiations over price.
The move is likely to cause significant disruptions for sports fans and users who rely on ABC's local stations for news and programming. NFL, college football, NBA, and NHL games will no longer be available, while Disney Channel, Freeform, and other networks are also gone.
YouTube TV has proposed new tiers and flexibility in its packaging, but the two sides have failed to find common ground. Google claims that YouTube TV is seeking a better deal than other providers, including Comcast and Charter, which have more customers.
Disney disputes this claim, saying that YouTube TV is refusing to pay market rates for Disney's networks or agree to terms similar to those reached with its own Hulu + Live TV and Fubo services.
In a statement, a YouTube spokesperson said: "We know this is a frustrating and disappointing outcome for our subscribers... We continue to urge Disney to work with us constructively to reach a fair agreement that restores their networks to YouTube TV. If their content remains off YouTube TV for an extended period of time, we'll offer subscribers a $20 credit."
Disney has accused Google of using its market dominance to eliminate competition and undercut industry-standard terms.
The move comes as part of a larger battle between Disney and Google over carriage renewal agreements. Other media conglomerates, including Paramount Global, Fox Corp., and NBCUniversal, have reached new deals with Google without a blackout.
In 2023, Disney and Charter resolved their differences over a renewal agreement, while in 2024, ESPN and other Disney networks went dark on DirecTV before reaching a deal. Earlier this month, Disney inked a carriage renewal pact with Comcast without issue.
The dispute is the latest chapter in the long-standing relationship between Disney and Google, which has seen several carriage renewals and blackouts over the years.
! I was looking forward to watching all the sports games on ESPN and ABC, but now they're gone. Can you believe it? 
It's like Google is trying to take advantage of Disney by not paying enough money for their channels. I don't think that's fair at all 
. And what about all the people who rely on YouTube TV for local news and programming? What are we supposed to do now? 
I'm so bummed to hear about YouTube TV pulling Disney's networks... like, what's a sports fan to do?! 
The blackout is huge for NFL, college football, NBA, and NHL games, not to mention local news and programming on ABC... it's crazy how fast things can change! 
I feel bad for subscribers who rely on these channels for their daily fix of entertainment. But at the same time, I get why Google isn't willing to give in on price... it's a tough spot for them to be in. 
anyway i feel bad 4 the sports fans & ppl who rely on abc's local stations but i guess google just wants 2 keep their prices low 
like i know google thinks it's got the upper hand w/ its market dominance but Disney's all like no way José 
ugh this whole thing is so frustrating 
This is so annoying! I was looking forward to watching the NBA playoffs on YouTube TV tonight but now it's all gone 
. I mean, come on Google, negotiate like a normal person 
. I hope the subscribers get their networks back ASAP 
.
. Has anyone else had this experience before? Share your thoughts! 
... just got served with no NFL games on YouTube TV 
! but let's look on the bright side - it means they gotta upgrade their streaming game 
maybe this is an opportunity for Google to innovate and bring even more awesome content to the table 
! and Disney gets to renegotiate its rates, who knows they might come out with a better deal 
... plus, $20 credit on YouTube TV isn't bad at all 
.
It's all just a big game of chicken, and consumers are the ones who get caught in the middle.
.
, where YouTube TV is taking on Disney's huge resources and market dominance. I hope both sides can find a way to resolve their differences amicably before the blackout gets extended. Otherwise, it'll be a nightmare for millions of subscribers! 
google's all like "we're good" but really they're just tryna avoid payin' market rates for disney networks lol! meanwhile, sports fans r stuck in the dark 
. Both sides have valid points, but at the end of the day, someone's gotta give 
. But Disney's not going to back down from asking for fair compensation 
. Hope Google comes up with a solution soon