ESPN, Disney Channels Blacked Out on YouTube TV in Contract Dispute
Introduction to the Dispute
More than 10 million YouTube TV customers lost access to ESPN, ABC and other Walt Disney Co. channels after contract talks broke down Thursday night in one of the largest television blackouts in recent years.
The Blackout Begins
The Disney blackout was set to begin by 9 p.m. Thursday, interrupting “SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt” on ESPN and “9-1-1: Nashville” and “Grey’s Anatomy” on ABC.
Reason Behind the Dispute
The two TV giants have been wrangling for weeks over carriage fees for Disney’s channels, including FX, Disney Jr. and National Geographic. YouTube TV — now one of the largest pay-TV services in the U.S. — has balked at Disney’s price demands, fueling the dispute that spilled beyond Thursday’s deadline for a new deal.
Impact on Viewers
Without an agreement, Google-owned YouTube TV no longer had legal rights to distribute Disney’s channels. “We know this is a frustrating and disappointing outcome for our subscribers,” a YouTube spokesperson said in a statement. “We continue to urge Disney to work with us constructively to reach a fair agreement that restores their networks to YouTube TV.”
Offer to Subscribers
Should the outage stretch for “an extended period,” YouTube said it would offer subscribers a $20 credit.
Tensions in the Television Industry
The blackout highlights heightened tensions in the television industry. Programming companies, including Disney, have sought higher fees for their channels to help offset the increased cost of sports programming, including NFL and NBA contracts.
Disney’s Allegations
Disney becomes the latest TV programmer to allege that Google has been throwing its weight around in contract negotiations. People close to the Burbank entertainment giant accuse YouTube TV of refusing to pay market rates for Disney’s popular channels or accept terms accepted by other pay-TV distributors. Disney has clinched deals with six other pay-TV companies this year, including the nation’s largest channel distributors, Charter Spectrum and Comcast.
YouTube TV’s Response
YouTube TV, for its part, has alleged that Disney was the one making unreasonable demands. The San Bruno, Calif.-based platform cited recent agreements it reached with NBCUniversal and Fox.
Impact on Subscribers
Ultimately, Fox and NBCUniversal negotiated new distribution contracts with Google without having their channels going dark. Univision wasn’t as fortunate; its channels have been off YouTube TV for nearly a month.
Length of the Impasse
It’s unclear how long the impasse might last. A separate distribution fee dispute between Disney and DirecTV last year resulted in a 13-day blackout of Disney channels for customers of the El Segundo-based television provider. In 2023, another ugly tussle led to Disney channels being dropped from Charter’s Spectrum service for 10 days.
Missing Favorite Channels
News and sports fans might quickly notice the absence of their favorite channels. They could miss college football on ESPN and ABC as well as a “Monday Night Football” game between the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys. ESPN is scheduled to televise a University of Miami-SMU football game on Saturday. (Jason Allen / Associated Press)
Local Channels Affected
Disney’s ABC stations, including KABC-TV in Los Angeles, and the network’s affiliate stations around the country also will be unavailable on YouTube TV. That means viewers could miss local newscasts, “Jeopardy,” “Wheel of Fortune,” “Good Morning America” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”
Conclusion
The dispute between YouTube TV and Disney has resulted in a significant blackout of popular channels, leaving millions of subscribers without access to their favorite shows and sports events. The length of the impasse remains uncertain, but both parties are working to reach a fair agreement.
FAQs
Q: What channels are affected by the blackout?
A: The blackout affects all Disney-owned channels, including ESPN, ABC, FX, Disney Jr., and National Geographic.
Q: Why did the blackout occur?
A: The blackout occurred due to a dispute between YouTube TV and Disney over carriage fees for Disney’s channels.
Q: How long will the blackout last?
A: The length of the blackout is uncertain, but both parties are working to reach a fair agreement.
Q: Will subscribers be offered any compensation?
A: Yes, YouTube TV will offer subscribers a $20 credit if the outage stretches for an extended period.
Q: Can subscribers still access Disney channels through other providers?
A: Yes, subscribers can still access Disney channels through other pay-TV providers, such as Charter Spectrum and Comcast.
