Disney’s networks have been removed from Google’s pay-TV platform, YouTube TV, after negotiations to secure a new licensing deal failed late on Thursday. Both companies confirmed the cessation of service in separate public statements, affecting millions of subscribers across the U.S.
The affected Disney networks include major channels such as ESPN, ABC, FX, Nat Geo, Nat Geo Wild, Disney Channel, and ABC News Live, among others. The channels were reportedly pulled from YouTube TV prior to the official midnight contract expiration time, with YouTube TV issuing its statement on X at 11:16 pm ET.
The core of the dispute centers on the financial terms of the renewal agreement. YouTube TV, which boasts over 10 million subscribers and is one of the largest pay-TV distributors in the country, stated that Disney’s proposed offer would lead to higher costs for its members.
“Our contract with Disney has reached its renewal date, and we’ll not agree to terms that disadvantage our members while benefiting Disney’s TV products,” YouTube TV announced in a post on the social media platform X. They suggested Disney’s pricing was designed to benefit its own competing live TV services, such as Hulu + Live TV.
In response, a Disney spokesperson accused YouTube TV of being “unwilling to pay fair rates.” The spokesperson further alleged, “With a $3 trillion market cap, Google is using its market dominance to eliminate competition and undercut the industry-standard terms we’ve successfully negotiated with every other distributor.” Disney has, however, committed to working toward a swift resolution.
This is the latest in a series of difficult contract negotiations for the YouTube TV platform this year. Earlier this month, the company managed to strike deals with Comcast-owned NBCUniversal (retaining popular shows like “Sunday Night Football” and “America’s Got Talent”), Fox, and Paramount after intense negotiation periods. Last month, however, the platform did drop the Spanish-language network Univision following a failed deal.
To mitigate the impact on its subscribers, YouTube TV announced it will offer a $20 credit if the Disney networks remain unavailable on the platform for an extended period of time. Subscribers are left waiting as two media giants—Disney and Google—navigate the complex economics of digital television distribution.
Key Highlights:
- Service Disruption: Disney’s networks, including ESPN and ABC, were removed from YouTube TV after contract renewal negotiations failed late Thursday.
- Core Conflict: YouTube TV, citing a desire not to disadvantage its over 10 million subscribers, accused Disney’s terms of benefiting its own services (like Hulu + Live TV).
- Corporate Allegation: Disney countered by accusing Google (with its $3 trillion market cap) of using its dominance to avoid paying industry-standard fair rates.
- Mitigation: YouTube TV, which has previously faced tough negotiations with NBCUniversal, Fox, and Paramount, will offer a $20 credit to affected subscribers.