YouTube TV loses Disney networks amid failed negotiations

Subscribers to YouTube TV are set to lose access to major Disney-owned networks, including ABC, ESPN, Disney Channel, and Freeform, after negotiations between The Walt Disney Company and Google failed to produce a new carriage agreement before the midnight deadline.

The blackout, effective from midnight ET, means that live broadcasts of college football, NFL, and NBA games carried by ESPN and ABC will no longer be available to YouTube TV viewers. The platform has pledged to offer users a $20 monthly credit if the channels remain unavailable for an extended period.

A Disney spokesperson criticised YouTube TV's stance, saying the streaming service "refused to pay fair rates" for channels that feature "the best lineup in live sports — anchored by the NFL, NBA, and college football." The spokesperson accused Google of using its market dominance to "eliminate competition and undercut industry-standard terms," adding that Disney remains committed to reaching a resolution.

In response, a YouTube TV representative claimed Disney had "used the threat of a blackout" to push for higher rates, insisting that the media giant's move "directly harms subscribers while benefiting its own live TV products," including Hulu + Live TV and Fubo, which recently merged with Disney's streaming service.

The dispute reportedly stems from YouTube TV seeking carriage terms similar to those enjoyed by major cable providers such as Charter and Comcast, while Disney was unwilling to offer those rates. Both companies had warned subscribers of the potential blackout last week.

Disney's channels are the latest to go dark on YouTube TV following a similar standoff with TelevisaUnivision in September. Previous disputes with Fox Corporation and NBC Universal were eventually settled before service interruptions occurred.

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For now, millions of viewers may need to find other platforms to keep up with their favourite Disney and ESPN programming — unless the two giants can strike a new deal soon.