Disney and YouTube TV have reached a new deal, effectively ending the days-long blackout of Disney channels on the Google-owned live streaming platform. As part of the agreement, Disney's full suite of networks, including ESPN and ABC, has been restored to YouTube TV subscribers.
The two-year stalemate between the media giant and YouTube began in October when a new licensing deal was unable to be reached, prompting Disney to remove its channels from the platform. The move disrupted coverage of high-profile events such as college football games and professional sports matches, as well as news and entertainment programming.
During the standoff, both parties traded accusations. YouTube TV claimed that Disney's proposed terms were too costly, leading to higher prices for subscribers and fewer channel options. Meanwhile, Disney maintained that YouTube TV was refusing to pay fair rates for its channels and accused Google of using its market dominance to eliminate competition.
The blackout also led to a public appeal from Disney, which asked YouTube TV to restore ABC programming on Election Day in November as part of a "public interest" measure. However, YouTube TV proposed an alternative solution that would see the restoration of both ESPN and ABC channels while negotiations continued.
The new deal brings an end to what was described as a tense contract negotiation between the two companies. The agreement follows previous disputes over licensing agreements, with YouTube TV removing other networks from its platform when contracts expired.
For consumers, these types of disruptions can be costly and inconvenient, highlighting the challenges that arise in the streaming industry as more content becomes available online. Despite this, many are turning to live streaming services for their entertainment needs, driving the need for ongoing negotiations between major players like YouTube TV and Disney.
The two-year stalemate between the media giant and YouTube began in October when a new licensing deal was unable to be reached, prompting Disney to remove its channels from the platform. The move disrupted coverage of high-profile events such as college football games and professional sports matches, as well as news and entertainment programming.
During the standoff, both parties traded accusations. YouTube TV claimed that Disney's proposed terms were too costly, leading to higher prices for subscribers and fewer channel options. Meanwhile, Disney maintained that YouTube TV was refusing to pay fair rates for its channels and accused Google of using its market dominance to eliminate competition.
The blackout also led to a public appeal from Disney, which asked YouTube TV to restore ABC programming on Election Day in November as part of a "public interest" measure. However, YouTube TV proposed an alternative solution that would see the restoration of both ESPN and ABC channels while negotiations continued.
The new deal brings an end to what was described as a tense contract negotiation between the two companies. The agreement follows previous disputes over licensing agreements, with YouTube TV removing other networks from its platform when contracts expired.
For consumers, these types of disruptions can be costly and inconvenient, highlighting the challenges that arise in the streaming industry as more content becomes available online. Despite this, many are turning to live streaming services for their entertainment needs, driving the need for ongoing negotiations between major players like YouTube TV and Disney.
I'm glad they finally reached an agreement 
! I was really worried about missing out on my favorite shows, especially during sports events 
. The whole thing with YouTube TV just feels like another example of how complicated the streaming industry can get 
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. I mean, who doesn't want access to their favorite channels without breaking the bank? 
It's like they're speaking different languages or something! 
. Now I can catch up on all my favorite shows without any interruptions! 
. The whole thing got so heated, too - I mean who throws a public appeal on Election Day? 
That's just dramatic 
. Anyway, glad it's over now, but I hope this new deal doesn't lead to more price hikes 
and channel cuts in the future. Can't we just have a smooth streaming experience without all these power struggles 
?
I feel for the subscribers who had to deal with no ESPN or ABC - that would've been a total bummer watching their fave games and shows go dark 
Did you guys think Disney was being reasonable or were they just using their power to get what they wanted? 
think googles got lucky they managed to keep the peace before it went down to the wire, but at the same time, two years is a pretty long time for this kind of stalemate... can imagine how frustrating it must be for subs who had to miss out on espn and abc. anyway, glad its over now
️. In retrospect, it's clear that both parties were locked in a contentious negotiation, with each side presenting compelling arguments about fair rates and market dominance 
. As the streaming industry continues to grow, it's essential that we prioritize finding mutually beneficial solutions that balance the needs of content creators with those of subscribers 
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. I mean, they're just trying to get their channels back on the platform, but it's all about the money and power at the end of the day. And let's be real, we are the ones who pay for all this content in the first place... so what do we really expect? 
. It's all about the money, but at what cost?
but seriously can't they just get along? 
anyway now we get our fave disney channels back and espn too... what's next for these negotiations tho? 
! and don't even get me started on how annoying it was to watch sports on other streaming services 
. i guess this new deal is a win for everyone though? 
. But seriously, it's crazy how these negotiations affect us as consumers. One minute we're binge-watching our faves on YouTube TV, and the next they're gone... what a hassle