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ESPN blackout on YouTube TV cost Disney $110 million

ESPN blackout on YouTube TV cost Disney $110 million

The blackout was far more costly for Disney than initial estimates calculated.

David Satin
David Satin has been a dedicated News Writer at The Streamable since 2022, covering a wide range of stories in the entertainment and streaming industries. With years of experience writing online, David previously worked as a list writer for Screen Rant, where he gained recognition for his extensive coverage of sci-fi and fantasy genres. His ability to break and analyze major stories has made him a trusted voice in the streaming world. Over the course of his career, Satin has become an integral part of The Streamable team, contributing to some of the most impactful stories in the industry.
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David Satin
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Known for breaking major streaming stories, he’s covered everything from Netflix policy shifts to Peacock’s ad-tier changes. A sci-fi fan and Toshiba Fire TV user, he brings sharp analysis and a love for the genre to his reporting.
Known for breaking major streaming stories, he’s covered everything from Netflix policy shifts to Peacock’s ad-tier changes. A sci-fi fan and Toshiba Fire TV user, he brings sharp analysis and a love for the genre to his reporting.
ESPN isn't slowing down on new streaming products, as confirmed by its SVP of DTC in an interview.

Disney has unveiled the earnings results for its final three-month period of 2025. While the report has a wide range of data to wade through, one of its most pertinent data points concerns the blackout of ESPN channels on YouTube TV in fall 2025. The report reveals that the blackout was a significant financial setback for Disney, costing the company over $100 million.

Key Details:

  • Major setback: Disney lost $110 million from the blackout of ESPN on YouTube TV.
  • Worse than estimated: At the time, one analyst computed Disney’s losses at $4.3 million per day.
  • Eventual peace: The two sides came to a new carriage agreement that allows YouTube TV to put ESPN in a new genre pack.

Per the quarterly earnings results for Disney’s fiscal first quarter of 2026 — the final three months of the 2025 calendar year — the blackout of ESPN networks on YouTube TV cost $110 million. That far exceeds one analyst’s estimate that the company was dropping $4.3 million per day during the 15-day dispute.

Disney’s carriage deal with YouTube TV expired at the end of October, and for 15 days YouTube TV subscribers were unable to watch Disney-owned channels like ESPN and ABC. The dispute likely drove some new subscribers to the ESPN Unlimited service, though Disney did not reveal the subscriber count for that service in its report.

Eventually, the two sides worked out a new carriage agreement, which allowed YouTube TV to begin creating genre-themed channel packages that incorporate Disney’s channels. YouTube TV also got permission to add content from ESPN Unlimited directly to its own app.

The impact of the channel blackout is even harder to measure on YouTube TV’s part, since that streamer does not provide regular subscriber numbers in its quarterly earnings report, nor does its parent company, Google, give detailed financial information. The consequences of the dispute were not solely one-sided, but quantifying them for YouTube TV won’t be easy without more details from the streamer.

According to Disney, the final quarter of 2025 saw ESPN capture more than 30% of all sports viewership across every network. That share was good enough to lead the industry, but it didn’t completely offset the $110 million loss Disney took from having ESPN and other channels blacked out on YouTube TV last fall.

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YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 60 channels for $82.99/month. This plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs) in select markets. The base plan includes more than 100 live channels, including major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, as well as popular cable channels such as ESPN, CNN, FX, USA Network, and TNT. Local channels are included in most markets, making YouTube TV a full replacement for traditional cable for many viewers.

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Sports are a major focus for YouTube TV, with access to national and regional coverage, league networks, and marquee events. The service also serves as the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket, available as an add-on, giving fans access to out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. YouTube TV also offers a smaller sports plan, allowing subscribers access to 30+ sports-oriented channels, including local networks in select markets.

YouTube TV includes unlimited cloud DVR storage at no extra cost, allowing subscribers to record as many shows as they want and keep recordings for up to nine months. The service is available across a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, streaming players, mobile devices, and web browsers. New subscribers can typically start with a free trial, though the trial length may vary by promotion.

With its broad channel lineup, strong sports offerings, unlimited DVR, and wide device support, YouTube TV remains one of the most comprehensive live TV streaming services for viewers who want a traditional TV experience without a cable contract.

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David Satin
David Satin has been a dedicated News Writer at The Streamable since 2022, covering a wide range of stories in the entertainment and streaming industries. With years of experience writing online, David previously worked as a list writer for Screen Rant, where he gained recognition for his extensive coverage of sci-fi and fantasy genres. His ability to break and analyze major stories has made him a trusted voice in the streaming world. Over the course of his career, Satin has become an integral part of The Streamable team, contributing to some of the most impactful stories in the industry.
Read full bio ›
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