After a two-week blackout, YouTube TV and Disney announced on Friday that they’ve struck a deal.
This agreement means that Disney networks like ABC, ESPN, and FX will be back on YouTube’s streaming service. Additionally, ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer service will be available on YouTube TV at no extra charge. YouTube will also have the option to package select Disney networks along with the Disney+/Hulu bundle.
In a joint statement, Disney Entertainment Co-Chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, along with ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro, called the deal a recognition of “the tremendous value of Disney’s programming” that offers YouTube TV subscribers greater 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 added.
YouTube also issued a statement on Friday, stating that subscribers would see the affected channels restored “throughout the course of the day.” They expressed, “We apologize for the disruption and appreciate our subscribers’ patience as we negotiated on their behalf.”
YouTube TV aims to serve as a cable TV alternative for those who have cut the cord, but like many cable providers, it has faced some disputes with major content creators—typically over payment issues and how flexible they can be with content bundling.
The last renegotiation between YouTube and Disney in 2022 resulted in a short blackout. This time, YouTube offered customers a $20 credit to apply to their next bill.
One survey suggested that during the Disney blackout, 24% of YouTube TV’s over 10 million subscribers had either canceled their subscription or planned to do so shortly. However, a YouTube spokesperson indicated that the actual churn was “manageable and does not align with the findings of this survey.”
TechCrunch’s Amanda Silberling even mentioned that the blackout was making her life difficult since she couldn’t catch “Jeopardy!” Fortunately, her two-week ordeal has come to an end.
