Disney and Alphabet's YouTube TV are in the midst of a heated carriage fee negotiation, with the current distribution agreement set to expire at 11:59 p.m. ET on October 30, 2025. If no new deal is reached, YouTube TV subscribers—numbering over 10 million—risk losing access to a wide array of Disney-owned networks starting October 31.
This includes major broadcast and cable channels essential for sports fans, news viewers, and entertainment enthusiasts. The dispute echoes similar standoffs in the pay-TV industry, where content providers like Disney seek higher fees to reflect rising production costs, while distributors like YouTube TV push back to keep subscription prices affordable.
Disney began airing urgent on-screen notices to subscribers on October 23, 2025, across its channels and local ABC stations in major markets like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Houston. These alerts emphasize the potential blackout and urge viewers to contact YouTube TV to pressure for a resolution.
Key Networks at RiskA blackout would remove the following Disney properties from YouTube TV's lineup:
This would disrupt live programming like NFL and college football games on ESPN/ABC (peak season right now), NBA coverage, World Series broadcasts on ABC, and general entertainment hits.