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Disney prepares for carriage fight with YouTube TV

Disney prepares for carriage fight with YouTube TV

The House of Mouse is the latest in a line of media companies that will have to take on YouTube TV to keep its channels on that streamer.

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.
Disney is the next company that could see its channels removed from YouTube TV.

Here we go again….again! YouTube TV is gearing up for another carriage battle with a major entertainment company. This time, Disney is the one set to tango with the live TV streaming service, and their schism could lead to the removal of Disney Channel, ESPN, FX, and more from the streamer if an agreement isn’t reached.

Key Details:

  • One more time: Disney’s carriage deal with YouTube TV expires on Oct. 30.
  • The heat is on: The House of Mouse has started a public campaign to try and get customers on its side.
  • Predictable pattern: YouTube TV carriage negotiations with both Fox and NBC came down to the wire, but ultimately ended in deals getting done.

Disney and YouTube TV will see their carriage agreement expire at midnight ET on Thursday, Oct. 30. If the deal expires without an extension or a new agreement, Disney-owned channels like ABC, Disney Channel, ESPN, Freeform, FX, and [Nat Geo] could be blacked out on YouTube TV.

On Thursday night, Disney began running a series of chyrons with its programming warning customers of YouTube TV that their access might be restricted in the near future. The chyrons directed viewers to channels like keepmyespn.com, where they can contact YouTube TV via various social media platforms or see other ways to watch Disney-owned channels.

“Disney delivers the most value in pay TV than any other media company across our best-in-class programming,” the website says. “We urge YouTube TV to work with us on a fair agreement and avoid any disruptions to their customers.”

In a statement sent to Deadline, YouTube TV said it has been “working in good faith to negotiate a deal with Disney that pays them fairly for their content on YouTube TV. Unfortunately, Disney is proposing costly economic terms that would raise prices on YouTube TV customers and give our customers fewer choices, while benefiting Disney’s own live TV products – like Hulu + Live TV and, soon, Fubo. Without an agreement, we’ll have to remove Disney’s content from YouTube TV, and if it remains unavailable for an extended period of time, we will offer subscribers a $20 credit.”

Now, customers can only sit back and wait to see if the two sides can make a deal before their current agreement expires. Despite the rhetoric, odds are pretty good that the deal gets done before the deadline; YouTube TV recently made carriage agreements with NBCUniversal and with Fox in recent months. Both of those negotiations came down to the wire, but eventually, agreements were finalized.

Will Disney follow a similar pattern with YouTube TV? I’m guessing yes, but only time will tell for sure. After all, YouTube TV’s carriage deal with TelevisaUnivision expired weeks ago, with no movement by either side in sight. But Disney has more leverage than TelevisaUnivision does, and an agreement with Disney will probably occur before any channels are blacked out.

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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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