YouTube TV Drops Disney’s ABC, ESPN and Other Networks After Two Sides Fail to Reach New Deal

YouTube TV suddenly lost access to Disney's networks, including ESPN and ABC, on the stroke of midnight ET, after negotiations between Google and Disney reached an impasse. The two sides could not agree on a new deal that would allow Disney's channels to remain available for subscribers.

The main point of contention is pricing. Disney is demanding rate hikes for its networks, but Google is unwilling to meet those demands. As a result, YouTube TV subscribers are losing access to their local ABC stations, as well as ESPN sports programming, including NFL, college football, and NBA games.

In response to the blackout, YouTube TV has announced that if Disney's channels remain unavailable for an extended period of time, it will offer subscribers a one-time $20 credit. The company is hoping to resolve the dispute without causing significant disruption to its users.

The situation highlights the growing tensions between media conglomerates and internet streaming services like Google over carriage deals. Disney has proposed new genre-based tiers and packaging flexibility to give YouTube TV customers more choices, but Google is resisting these demands.

Disney argues that YouTube TV's refusal to pay fair rates for its networks is harming its subscribers, who are losing access to high-quality programming, including sports events. The company remains committed to finding a resolution as quickly as possible.

The dispute marks the latest chapter in a series of battles between Disney and Google over carriage deals on YouTube TV. Other media companies, such as Paramount Global, Fox Corp., and NBCUniversal, have reached new deals without going dark.

For its part, Justin Connolly, who previously worked for Disney as head of distribution, joined YouTube as VP of global head of media this spring, which has added another layer to the dispute.

so disney thinks they can just pull the plug on abc and espn and not have any issues? lol like they're really gonna hurt google's streaming game with a 20 bucks credit meanwhile we're stuck in the middle with no sports or local news because some suits can't agree on pricing this is what happens when you try to play business games with giants

I don't think it's entirely surprising that things escalated like this between Google and Disney . The issue is simple: pricing. Both sides are dug in, but what really gets me is how this affects everyday people who just want to watch their favorite sports games or local shows .

It's like, I get that Disney wants more money for its channels, but $20 credits aren't going to cut it when you're talking about millions of users losing access to stuff they love . And on the other side, Google isn't willing to just give in and pay whatever rate Disney asks, which is fair, but also kinda reckless.

It's like a game of chicken, where everyone's waiting for the other guy to blink . I hope someone can find a solution soon, because this blackout is really disrupting people's viewing habits .

Ugh, what's up with these carriage deals?! They're just causing so much drama and disruption for consumers. I get that Disney wants fair rates for its networks, but Google doesn't have to play hardball. Can't they just negotiate in good faith? And now YouTube TV subscribers are getting the short end of the stick - losing access to ABC and ESPN? I'm hoping they can resolve this soon so we don't lose any more channels. This whole thing is like, a classic case of corporate chicken or whatever...

what's going on with youtube tv and disney? i was watching espn last night and then suddenly everything went black! i don't get why they can't just agree on a deal. google is always so good at negotiating stuff but i guess not when it comes to disney . now what am i supposed to watch instead of abc or espn? that $20 credit from youtube tv sounds like a decent consolation prize, but it's still no fun losing access to my fave sports teams

OMG what's goin' on here ! So Google and Disney are like two rival teams in a big negotiation battle, but instead of basketball, it's about who gets to play with the channels . They can't agree on the price, which is crazy because I get my sports fix through YouTube TV .

I feel for the YouTube TV subscribers though, losin' access to their ABC stations and ESPN is like losin' part of your family . And Disney's all like "we need more money or we're walkin' away" which isn't exactly how business works .

It's not just about YouTube TV either, this sets a precedent for other media companies like Paramount Global and Fox Corp. to take note of . Maybe Google needs to revisit its strategy on carriage deals or something?

omg i'm so annoyed about this , youtube tv is literally my go-to platform for sports and entertainment and now those channels are gone?!? and google is just sitting there like "oh noes we can't agree on pricing" i get that both sides have a point, but it's super frustrating for subscribers like me who just want access to the content they love without having to shell out more cash. anyone else losing their mind over this?!?

Ugh , I'm so over these carriage deal disputes! Like, can't they just figure something out already? I mean, YouTube TV is trying to offer a one-time $20 credit to its subscribers as a gesture of goodwill, but it's not like that's gonna make up for losing access to ESPN and ABC. The whole thing just feels so... unnecessary . And what's with Disney being all dramatic about this? I get it, they want higher rates, but come on, Google isn't made of money either . It's just a big game of chicken at this point, and we're the ones who end up losing out in the end .