After a two-week blackout, YouTube TV and Disney have struck a deal.
This agreement means Disney channels like ABC, ESPN, and FX are back on YouTube TV. Plus, ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer service will now be included at no extra cost. YouTube will also sell Disney networks and bundles with Disney+ and Hulu.
Disney executives Alan Bergman, Dana Walden, and Jimmy Pitaro expressed that the deal recognizes the value of Disney’s programming and offers subscribers more choices. They were pleased to restore the channels just in time for viewers to catch college football this weekend.
YouTube announced that affected channels would be back throughout the day and apologized for the inconvenience, thanking subscribers for their patience during the negotiations.
YouTube TV seeks to provide a cable-cutting alternative. However, like traditional cable services, it often faces disputes with content providers over pricing and bundling options. In fact, a previous negotiation in 2022 led to a brief blackout.
A recent survey revealed that 24% of YouTube TV’s subscribers—over 10 million—either canceled or planned to cancel their subscriptions due to the blackout. YouTube downplayed these findings, describing the actual subscriber loss as “manageable.”
During the blackout, many fans were frustrated. TechCrunch’s Amanda Silberling even said it was ruining her life as she couldn’t watch “Jeopardy!” Thankfully, she can now tune in again.
Overall, these ongoing skirmishes between streaming services and content providers highlight the challenges in the industry today. As viewers crave flexible and affordable options, companies will need to find a balance in negotiations to keep their audiences happy.
For more information, you can read about the deal directly on Disney’s website.
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