YouTube TV’s ongoing contract dispute with Disney has left its subscribers without access to a range of popular channels, including ABC, ESPN, the ACC Network, and the SEC Network, since October 31. This blackout has already caused sports fans to miss two weekends of college football and threatens to disrupt yet another Monday Night Football broadcast. The standoff centers on the “carriage fees” — payments that YouTube TV makes to Disney to carry its network channels. Unfortunately for subscribers, there is no resolution in sight just yet.
The root of the conflict lies in negotiations over how much YouTube TV should pay Disney to stream its channels. Disney, which owns the channels in question, asserts that YouTube TV is not offering a fair rate. YouTube TV, owned by Google and boasting the largest subscriber base among internet TV providers with over 9 million subscribers, has resisted Disney’s demands. Hulu + Live TV, also a major player owned by Disney, ranks second with 4.3 million subscribers, which adds an interesting dynamic to the negotiation.
This is not the first time YouTube TV and Disney have faced off over carriage fees. A previous dispute in 2021 resulted in a brief outage that lasted only two days. However, this current blackout has dragged on longer, depriving viewers of critical sports content and other programming offered by the Disney-owned channels.
In light of the prolonged outage, YouTube TV has responded by offering its subscribers a $20 credit if the blackout continues for an extended period. The company began sending out emails on the evening of November 5 to notify subscribers about the credit. Many users have already reported receiving the credit, and YouTube TV has promised that all eligible subscribers will have their credits issued by November 12. To claim the credit, subscribers simply need to follow the instructions provided in the email from YouTube TV.
The loss of Disney channels on YouTube TV affects more than just sports fans. Subscribers are unable to access a variety of popular channels, including the main ABC network, ESPN’s multiple channels, and the specialized ACC and SEC sports networks. This outage significantly limits the programming available on the platform and diminishes the overall value of the subscription for many users.
While the details of the negotiations remain confidential, similar carriage disputes involving Disney and other broadcasters have typically been resolved within one to two weeks. For instance, Disney’s contractual disagreements with Sling TV in 2022, Spectrum/Charter in 2023, and DirecTV in 2024 were all resolved relatively quickly. However, YouTube TV’s dominant market position and Google’s substantial bargaining power suggest that this negotiation could be more protracted.
Industry sources, including Variety, report that if an agreement is reached, the missing channels could be restored within hours. Until then, sports fans and other viewers will have to seek alternatives for their entertainment needs.
On October 30, YouTube TV publicly addressed the situation via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Members, when we renew our contracts with network partners, we advocate for fair pricing to offer you the best TV experience.” This statement underscores YouTube TV’s position that it is striving to manage costs to keep subscription prices reasonable for its customers.
Disney, however, has taken a more critical stance. In a statement to CNBC, Disney accused YouTube TV of refusing to pay fair rates for its channels, saying, “Google’s YouTube TV has chosen to deny its subscribers the content they value most.” Furthermore, a memo sent to Disney employees on October 31, also reported by CNBC, alleged that YouTube TV has been deleting previously recorded shows and events from subscribers’ libraries. The memo from Disney Entertainment co-chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, along with ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro, expressed frustration, stating that YouTube TV and Google are not interested in a fair deal, but are instead using their power to “eliminate competition and devalue the very content that helped them build their service.”
In an effort to rally viewer support, Disney has set up a website—keepmynetworks.com—encouraging viewers to contact YouTube TV and demand the return of Disney-owned channels.
For YouTube TV subscribers eager to watch key sports broadcasts like Monday Night Football or college football games on ABC, there are a few workarounds. Those with access to an over-the-air TV antenna can still receive local ABC broadcasts if they live within range of a local affiliate. This option is free