Disney warns YouTube TV users could lose ESPN, ABC

Disney The Walt Disney Company ↗ 1.55% began warning YouTube TV subscribers Thursday that they could lose access to ESPN, ABC, and other Disney-owned networks starting October 30 if the companies fail to reach a new carriage agreement by the midnight deadline.awfulannouncing+2

The entertainment giant started airing public notices on its networks at 5 p.m. ET Thursday, alerting YouTube TV's approximately 10 million subscribers about the potential blackout during prime sports viewing season. The dispute threatens to remove marquee programming including NFL games, college football, NBA season openers, and NHL coverage at the height of fall sports.variety+5

High-Stakes Negotiations Over Fees and Control

At the center of the dispute are carriage fees and distribution terms, with each side blaming the other for unreasonable demands. Disney argues that Google Alphabet Inc. ↗ 0.37% is "exploiting its position at the expense of their own customers" by pushing for below-market rates.awfulannouncing+2

"This is the latest example of Google exploiting its position at the expense of their own customers," a Disney spokesperson said. "If we don't reach a fair deal soon, YouTube TV customers will lose access to ESPN and ABC, and all our marquee programming — including the NFL, college football, NBA and NHL seasons — and so much more."axios+2

YouTube TV countered that Disney's proposed terms would raise subscriber prices while benefiting Disney's competing streaming services, including Hulu + Live TV and the soon-to-be-acquired Fubo fuboTV Inc. ↗ 1.94%. "Unfortunately, Disney is proposing costly economic terms that would raise prices on YouTube TV customers and give our customers fewer choices," a YouTube spokesperson said.cnbc+3

Pattern of Streaming Wars

This marks the fourth major carriage battle for YouTube TV in three months, following disputes with Fox ↗ 2.62%, NBCUniversal Comcast Corporation ↗ 3.42%, and TelevisaUnivision. While YouTube TV reached agreements with Fox and NBCUniversal before any blackouts occurred, TelevisaUnivision's channels remain dark after more than three weeks.axios+4

The negotiations are complicated by Disney's competitive position in the streaming market through its ownership of Hulu + Live TV and pending merger with Fubo, which would create a combined service rivaling YouTube TV's subscriber base. Disney's January agreement to acquire a 70% stake in Fubo is currently under Department of Justice antitrust review.techbuzz+2

If Disney's networks go dark for an extended period, YouTube TV has promised subscribers a $20 credit.awfulannouncing+3