FCC Chairman Brendan Carr urged Disney and Google to immediately resolve their carriage dispute on November 10, 2025, to restore ABC, ESPN, and other Disney channels to YouTube TV subscribers who have been blacked out since October 31.
The blackout, affecting over 8 million users during peak NFL and college football season, stems from failed negotiations over higher carriage fees, bundling terms, and protections for Disney’s upcoming direct-to-consumer ESPN app in 2026. Disney accuses YouTube TV of demanding anti-competitive terms; YouTube TV says Disney is seeking above-market rates.
Carr emphasized consumer harm, stating, “People should have the right to watch the programming they paid for—including football.” His intervention adds regulatory pressure amid broader FCC scrutiny of network practices that limit local broadcasting access.
Both companies have traded public accusations, with no resolution as of November 11. Similar disputes, including YouTube TV’s ongoing blackout of TelevisaUnivision, highlight growing tensions in live TV streaming.