Exciting News: YouTube TV and Disney Strike Deal to Restore ESPN and ABC After Two-Week Blackout!

Disney and Google have settled their tussle, and now ESPN, ABC, and other Disney channels are back on YouTube TV. This new deal, announced last Friday, comes after a blackout that left viewers in the dark. Just before midnight on October 30, Disney’s networks vanished from YouTube TV when their old contract expired.

Under the new terms, YouTube TV subscribers will get ESPN’s entire lineup without extra fees until the end of 2026. They will also have access to some live and on-demand programming from ESPN Unlimited. Additionally, YouTube will bundle Disney+ and Hulu in select packages, giving viewers more options.

Disney executives expressed their satisfaction with the deal. They believe it shows their commitment to adapting to how people watch TV today. YouTube also shared their relief, stating that subscribers will see their favorite channels returning quickly.

Previously, viewers faced significant disruptions. Many subscribers were frustrated enough to consider canceling. A recent survey revealed that 24% of YouTube TV users were either cancelling or planning to cancel their subscriptions due to the blackout. In contrast, a YouTube representative downplayed these concerns, insisting that subscriber loss was manageable. Disney, on its end, reportedly lost over $4 million daily during the blackout, according to Morgan Stanley.

The negotiations were tense. Google accused Disney of demanding excessive fee increases, while Disney claimed Google wasn’t offering fair rates. This is not unique; Disney has faced several recent disputes with other distributors, including a similar blackout on Charter Communications earlier in 2023.

Some users pointed out that key sports events were missed during the blackout, notably college football and “Monday Night Football.” To compensate, YouTube gave out $20 credits to affected customers.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Disney has had to navigate tricky negotiations. Earlier this year, negotiations with Disney and major distributors like Charter and DirecTV also ran into trouble, but they managed to strike new deals without long-term blackouts.

In today’s streaming landscape, where competition is fierce, viewers demand quality and variety. As streaming services evolve, negotiations like these will likely become more common, reflecting the ongoing battle for content and viewer loyalty.

For deeper understanding of these dynamics, you can visit Variety or read more about streaming trends on The Hollywood Reporter.

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Disney,ESPN,Google,YouTube TV