Looks like Mickey just pulled the plug. The Mouse House has gone dark on YouTube TV after Disney and Google’s streaming arm failed to strike a last-minute deal — leaving millions of subscribers suddenly cut off from ESPN, ABC, and the rest of Disney’s cable kingdom.
The two companies remain in talks, although neither indicated when customers can expect programming to resume.
“Unfortunately, Google’s YouTube TV has chosen to deny their subscribers the content they value most by refusing to pay fair rates for our channels, including ESPN and ABC,” a Disney spokesperson told CNN.
“Without a new agreement in place, their subscribers will not have access to our programming, which includes the best lineup in live sports — anchored by the NFL, NBA, and college football, with 13 of the top 25 college teams playing this weekend.” In its own statement, Google said the decision “directly harms our subscribers while benefiting their own live TV products, including Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.”
“We know how disruptive it is to lose channels you enjoy, and we’re committed to continuing to work with Disney to reach an agreement,” YouTube TV said on X late Thursday.
Subscribers had seen announcements warning of a stalemate since last Thursday, when Disney began running public messages notifying YouTube TV customers of a possible blackout.
At its core, the dispute centres on financial terms. Disney wants higher carriage fees to reflect the value of its networks, such as ESPN. “We invest significantly in our content and expect our partners to pay fair rates that recognize that value,” a Disney spokesperson told CNN.
Meanwhile, YouTube has said Disney’s demands would “raise prices on YouTube TV customers and give our customers fewer choices.” This conflict is the latest in a series of showdowns for YouTube TV this year. The streaming service has recently inked eleventh-hour deals with Paramount, Fox and NBCUniversal.
A standoff with Televisa Univision also led to a blackout, with President Donald Trump weighing in on behalf of the Spanish-language broadcaster.
The two companies remain in talks, although neither indicated when customers can expect programming to resume.
“Unfortunately, Google’s YouTube TV has chosen to deny their subscribers the content they value most by refusing to pay fair rates for our channels, including ESPN and ABC,” a Disney spokesperson told CNN.
“Without a new agreement in place, their subscribers will not have access to our programming, which includes the best lineup in live sports — anchored by the NFL, NBA, and college football, with 13 of the top 25 college teams playing this weekend.” In its own statement, Google said the decision “directly harms our subscribers while benefiting their own live TV products, including Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.”
“We know how disruptive it is to lose channels you enjoy, and we’re committed to continuing to work with Disney to reach an agreement,” YouTube TV said on X late Thursday.
Subscribers had seen announcements warning of a stalemate since last Thursday, when Disney began running public messages notifying YouTube TV customers of a possible blackout.
At its core, the dispute centres on financial terms. Disney wants higher carriage fees to reflect the value of its networks, such as ESPN. “We invest significantly in our content and expect our partners to pay fair rates that recognize that value,” a Disney spokesperson told CNN.
Meanwhile, YouTube has said Disney’s demands would “raise prices on YouTube TV customers and give our customers fewer choices.” This conflict is the latest in a series of showdowns for YouTube TV this year. The streaming service has recently inked eleventh-hour deals with Paramount, Fox and NBCUniversal.
A standoff with Televisa Univision also led to a blackout, with President Donald Trump weighing in on behalf of the Spanish-language broadcaster.
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