Disney content has gone dark on YouTube TV. Here’s what customers should know
NEW YORK (AP) — Disney contents Darkness fell on YouTube TVGoogle-owned livestream is leaving subscribers flow It’s a platform that doesn’t have access to major networks like ESPN and ABC.
That’s because the companies can’t reach a new licensing deal to keep the Disney channels open. YouTubeTV. Depending on how long it lasts, the dispute could particularly impact U.S. news. college football matchups throughout the weekend — alongside NBA and NFL games — among other news and entertainment disruptions that have already arrived.
Meanwhile, YouTube TV subscribers who want to watch Disney channels may have little choice but to turn to the company’s own platforms, which come with their own price tags.
Here’s what we know.
Why isn’t Disney content on YouTube TV today?
Disney content was pulled from YouTube TV after the carriage agreement expired on Thursday. The two parties were unable to reach a new agreement to continue licensing Disney channels on the platform, resulting in the current outage.
YouTube TV says Disney offered terms that were too costly, leading to higher prices and fewer options for its subscribers. Google’s publisher accused Disney of using “threatened cuts to YouTube TV as a negotiating tactic” and claimed the move also benefited Disney’s own streaming products Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.
Meanwhile, Disney says YouTube TV refuses to pay fair fees to its channels and therefore chooses to “deny subscribers the content they value most.” The California entertainment giant also accused Google of “using its market dominance to eliminate competition and undermine the industry standard terms we have successfully negotiated with all other distributors.”
Which channels were affected?
ESPN and ABC are among the largest networks no longer accessible to YouTube TV subscribers amid the dispute.
And beyond those top sports and news offerings, other now-dark Disney-owned content on the platform includes channels dedicated to U.S. college athletic regions like the Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference. NatGeo and FX were also affected.
Here is the summary of the full list Summarized by YouTube TV:
Google says broadcaster add-ons such as 4K Plus and Spanish Plus are also affected.
Where else can I watch ESPN and ABC?
Consumers can still watch Disney’s sports programming through the company’s own ESPN offerings, but it will come at an additional cost. network for streaming launched its own platform earlier this year It starts at $29.99 per month under the same ESPN name.
Other Disney content can be found on platforms like Hulu, Disney+, and Fubo. Again, these come with their own price tags. Disney also allows people to bundle ESPN with Hulu and Disney+ for $35.99 per month, or $29.99 per month for the first year.
But if you’re a YouTube TV subscriber and don’t have those additional subscribers, or are willing to pay more in the meantime, you won’t be able to access this Disney content as long as the stalemate continues. YouTube TV said it will give subscribers a $20 credit if Disney content is unavailable for an “extended period of time.”
YouTube TV’s basic subscription plan costs $82.99 per month. Beyond Disney content, the platform currently offers live TV from networks like NBC, CBS, Fox, BBC, PBS, Hallmark, Food Network, and more.
How long can the dispute last?
YouTube TV and Disney acknowledged that the outage was frustrating, and both say they’re still committed to finding a solution. But only time will tell.
The current outage marks the latest in a growing list of licensing disputes affecting consumers’ access to content.
From sporting events to awards shows, live programming once reserved for broadcast has increasingly found its way into the broadcasting world over the years; More and more consumers are ditching traditional cable or satellite TV subscriptions for content they can get online. However, the renewal of transportation agreements may also mean tense contract negotiations, especially in an environment of increasing competition in space.
YouTube TV and Disney have been down this path before. YouTube TV subscribers in 2021 We briefly lost access to all Disney content on the platform following a similar contract breakdown between the two companies. This outage lasted less than two days, and the companies eventually reached an agreement.
Some stalemates in the past were shorter and limited to a few hours, or found a way to temporarily avoid last-minute disruptions. For example, YouTube TV in August Reached a “short-term extension” After a contract dispute with Fox, the duo later reached a new licensing agreement.
