Google’s YouTube declared Friday it is open to a fair deal that would immediately restore Disney’s ABC broadcast stations and the full ESPN suite to YouTube TV, while the two giants keep negotiating carriage fees.
The blackout, now in its eighth day, has stripped 10 million YouTube TV subscribers of 20+ Disney channels—including ESPN, ABC locals, FX, Freeform, Nat Geo, and Disney Channel—right through Election Night and two college-football Saturdays.
What each side says
✔YouTube: Disney is demanding rates higher than what Charter and DirecTV pay for ABC, and more than Disney charges its own Hulu + Live TV and Fubo. Google insists it wants only “market” terms and offered Monday to flip ABC and ESPN back on in hours if Disney agrees.
✔Disney: YouTube is seeking below-market “preferential” pricing and has made “few concessions.” An internal memo to staff says Disney opened with a cheaper package than the expired deal and has matched terms given every other distributor since summer 2024.
Sports fans are streaming ESPN’s new $29.99/mo “Unlimited” app or switching to Hulu + Live TV; election viewers used ABC News’ free YouTube livestream (19M subs) or antennas.
Why it’s stuck Google wants rates that drop further once YouTube TV passes Comcast and Charter in size. Disney refuses to subsidize a rival it says already pays preferred rates. Both lose ~$5M a day in fees and ads, but Google’s deep pockets and Disney’s owned alternatives (Hulu, Fubo, ESPN app) let the fight drag.
Next moves
- YouTube says its ops teams can restore ABC/ESPN in hours with Disney’s sign-off.
- Talks continue daily; history (Disney-Charter 10 days in 2023, DirecTV 13 days in 2024) suggests a deal before Thanksgiving, but no public deadline exists.
Bottom line: A handshake could end the blackout tonight; until then, 10 million homes are flipping between antennas, rival streamers, and free YouTube feeds for the sports and news they already paid $83/mo to watch.