As of Friday morning, all Disney-owned television networks have been taken off YouTube TV after the two companies failed to reach a new carriage deal before their previous agreement expired. ABC, ESPN, FX, Freeform, Disney Channel, and National Geographic all went dark just before midnight, according to reports from viewers. The blackout affects millions of subscribers. YouTube TV, which is the largest internet-based live television bundle in the country, confirmed that every Disney network is currently unavailable. That means no live college football, NBA, NHL games, or local ABC news broadcasts.
The removal also impacts on-demand programs and cloud DVR recordings, leaving many subscribers without access to saved content. Neither company has said when the situation will be resolved.
YouTube TV’s parent company, Google, said the dispute centers on Disney’s pricing demands. The company claims Disney wants fees that would drive up costs for customers while giving Disney’s own live-TV offering, Hulu + Live TV, an advantage. Google says it will credit subscribers $20 if the channels stay down for an extended time. The service currently charges $82.99 per month.
Disney rejects Google’s framing, saying YouTube TV is unwilling to pay fair market rates for some of the most valuable channels in television. The company argues that ESPN and its other networks deserve higher compensation for the live sports and entertainment they provide. Disney has made similar points in other carriage disputes in recent years.
Both sides have more at stake than just contract fees. YouTube has surpassed The Walt Disney Company in total produced media watched on American televisions. Despite Disney’s large investment in sports and streaming, YouTube TV now has more subscribers than Hulu. That creates more competitive tension because YouTube and Disney are not just business partners but also direct rivals in streaming.
The blackout comes at a critical time. The fall sports season is in full swing, with college football, early NBA and NHL games, and international events like Formula 1 all typically airing on ESPN. Many households keep live TV services specifically for access to those sports. The loss of ESPN puts pressure on both companies to resolve the dispute, or risk viewers switching to another service such as Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, or Sling.
Viewers who change providers can regain access to ESPN and ABC right away, though monthly prices are usually the same or higher. Availability also varies depending on region, especially for local ABC affiliates. Customers should check for free trial options, channel lineups, and local coverage before switching.
This clash isn’t new. The same companies faced off in 2021, when a similar blackout lasted two days before they renewed their agreement. In 2023, Disney’s standoff with Charter’s Spectrum service kept ESPN and ABC off the air for about 10 days until a new bundle deal was struck. That conflict changed the economics of traditional pay-TV packages. Historically, most of these blackouts have ended within a few days or weeks once consumer and advertiser pressure reach a peak.
Sports fans are already expressing frustration online. If ESPN stays dark through the upcoming weekend slate, public reaction could accelerate negotiations. Another possible move would be a short-term contract extension that restores service while talks continue, but as of Monday morning, no temporary deal has been announced. Some observers expect a compromise similar to the 2023 Disney–Charter arrangement, which blended traditional carriage with streaming incentives.
Disney is trying to maintain a solid footing in live-streaming television as the market shifts away from cable. YouTube’s strength lies in its massive reach and price stability, but its weakness remains the sports content that Disney controls. YouTube executives have suggested they will avoid raising the subscription price in response to this dispute. Disney, meanwhile, recently raised the cost of Hulu, giving YouTube an opening to attract frustrated subscribers. The company has also requested that they bring back ABC coverage in time for election day, but talks are still ongoing.
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English (US) · 