YouTube TV subscribers are currently unable to access several major Disney-owned channels, including ESPN and ABC, due to a breakdown in licensing negotiations. This blackout follows the expiration of the carriage agreement on March 14, 2024, and has left consumers without access to vital sports and entertainment programming.
The conflict arose after both parties failed to agree on new terms that would permit Disney channels to remain on the platform. According to YouTube TV, Disney’s proposed terms would impose higher costs on subscribers, leading to increased prices and fewer choices. The streaming service accused Disney of leveraging the blackout as a negotiation tactic, which could potentially benefit its own streaming services like Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.
In response, Disney claimed that YouTube TV was unwilling to pay fair rates for its channels, asserting that Google was attempting to use its market power to undermine competition. The California-based entertainment company emphasized that this decision denies subscribers access to content they value highly.
Channels Affected by the Blackout
The list of impacted channels is extensive, with ESPN and ABC at the forefront. Other notable channels that subscribers can no longer access include:
1. ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, and ESPN Deportes (Spanish Plan)
2. ABC and ABC News Live
3. Nat Geo, Nat Geo Wild, and Nat Geo Mundo (Spanish Plan)
4. Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD
5. FX, FXX, and FXM
6. SEC Network and ACC Network
7. Freeform
8. Localish
9. Baby TV Español (Spanish Plan)
YouTube TV has also indicated that additional features, such as 4K Plus and Spanish Plus, are affected by this disruption.
Alternative Options for Subscribers
Subscribers to YouTube TV looking to access Disney’s offerings will have to seek alternative platforms. ESPN has launched its own standalone streaming service, available for $29.99 per month. Other Disney content can be accessed via Hulu, Disney+, and Fubo, all of which come with their own subscription fees. Disney offers a bundle combining ESPN, Hulu, and Disney+ for $35.99 monthly, or $29.99 for the first year.
For YouTube TV subscribers who do not wish to pay additional fees, the blackout means a significant loss of popular content. YouTube TV has announced it will issue a $20 credit to subscribers if the unavailability of Disney channels persists “for an extended period of time.” The base subscription for YouTube TV is currently priced at $82.99 per month, which includes access to various other networks such as NBC, CBS, and BBC.
As both companies work to resolve the issue, there is uncertainty regarding how long the blackout will last. This incident highlights a growing trend of licensing disputes within the streaming industry, where negotiations over carriage agreements can lead to service interruptions for consumers.
Prior to this blackout, YouTube TV experienced a similar conflict with Disney in 2021, which resulted in a brief outage of less than two days. While some disputes have been resolved quickly, others have taken longer, reflecting the increasingly competitive nature of the streaming market.
In an era where traditional cable subscriptions are being replaced by online streaming, these conflicts may become more frequent, impacting how audiences access their favorite live sports and entertainment programming. Both YouTube TV and Disney have acknowledged the frustration of this disruption and remain committed to finding a resolution.