Disney Channels Go Dark On YouTube TV

Disney-owned channels, including ESPN, ABC, Disney Channel, FX, and National Geographic networks, went dark on YouTube TV after the two companies failed to renew their carriage agreement before a midnight ET deadline. This blackout affects over 20 channels and impacts YouTube TV's more than 8 million subscribers, particularly sports fans and families relying on Disney content. The dispute is the latest in a series of tense negotiations for YouTube TV, following resolved standoffs with Fox and NBCUniversal earlier in 2025.

What Channels Are Affected?The blackout includes a wide range of Disney networks. Here's a breakdown:

Viewers can no longer access live broadcasts, on-demand recordings, or algorithmic recommendations for these channels. Searches for Disney shows on YouTube TV now show tiles without playable links.

The core issue is a disagreement over carriage fees—the per-subscriber rate YouTube TV pays Disney to carry its channels. Disney is seeking higher fees to reflect the value of premium content like ESPN (a major draw for sports viewers) and ABC's local news and game shows. YouTube TV, now the top U.S. media distributor by audience engagement (over 13% of TV watch-time per Nielsen), is pushing back, demanding rates aligned with competitors like Comcast and Charter, plus a shorter contract term than the industry standard. 

Google accuses Disney of terms that unfairly favor its own services, like Hulu + Live TV.

This isn't isolated: YouTube TV has faced similar disputes with four other major distributors in 2025, all resolved without blackouts except this one. Tensions were heightened by Google's earlier hiring of Disney executive Justin Connolly, leading to a breach-of-contract lawsuit from Disney (Connolly recused himself from talks).