Disney and YouTube TV reach deal to end blackout

After a two-week blackout, YouTube TV and Disney announced on Friday that they have officially reached a new agreement.

The deal restores popular Disney-owned networks, including ABC, ESPN, and FX, to YouTube’s streaming TV service. Additionally, ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer service will be made available to YouTube TV subscribers at no extra cost. The agreement also allows YouTube to offer select Disney networks and the Disney+/Hulu bundle as part of different subscription packages.

In a joint statement, Disney Entertainment Co-Chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, along with ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro, described the deal as one that “recognizes the tremendous value of Disney’s programming and provides YouTube TV subscribers with more flexibility and choice.”

“We are pleased that our networks have been restored in time for fans to enjoy the many great programming options this weekend, including college football,” the Disney executives said.

YouTube also released a statement on Friday confirming that subscribers would begin seeing the affected channels restored “throughout the course of the day.” The company added, “We apologize for the disruption and appreciate our subscribers’ patience as we negotiated on their behalf.”

YouTube TV, which serves as a cable TV alternative for cord-cutters, has faced multiple disputes with major content providers over the years — primarily centred on pricing and the flexibility of content distribution. 

The last time YouTube and Disney renegotiated, back in 2022, there was a similar — though much shorter — blackout. During this latest disruption, YouTube offered customers a $20 credit to apply toward their next billing cycle.

A recent survey suggested that 24% of YouTube TV’s more than 10 million subscribers had either cancelled or planned to cancel their subscriptions due to the Disney blackout. However, a YouTube spokesperson later clarified that actual subscriber churn was “manageable and does not align with the findings of this survey.”

Indeed, the blackout caused frustration for many viewers — including TechCrunch’s Amanda Silberling, who humorously said the situation was “ruining her life” because she couldn’t watch “Jeopardy!” Thankfully for her and millions of others, the two-week disruption is now over.