YouTube TV Subscribers Face Disney Blackout as Carriers Negotiate New Deals
A blackout of Disney-owned channels, including ABC and ESPN, has affected approximately 10 million YouTube TV subscribers after the expiration of their carrier deal. The blackout, which began at midnight on Thursday, prevents users from accessing stations like 6ABC in Philadelphia, resulting in the absence of popular shows like "Abbott Elementary" from the streaming platform.
The dispute is centered around a new agreement between Disney and YouTube TV, with neither side willing to meet in the middle. In response to the blackout, YouTube TV has offered subscribers a $20 credit if the stations remain off its service for an extended period, although it did not specify how long that would be.
Disney has accused YouTube TV of using its market dominance as a negotiating tactic, claiming that Google is trying to eliminate competition and undercut industry-standard terms. The company maintains that it remains committed to working toward a resolution with YouTube TV, despite the frustration this has caused for subscribers.
This blackout follows a series of similar disputes between YouTube TV and other networks this year. There were threats of blackouts during negotiations with Paramount in February and Fox Corporation in August. However, YouTube TV was able to avoid these blackouts by reaching temporary contract extensions with NBCUniversal.
The dispute also highlights the complex relationship between media companies and streaming services. With the market value of Disney exceeding $3 trillion, its demands are likely to be substantial. As negotiations continue, it remains to be seen when subscribers will regain access to these channels, including sports events like Monday's Philadelphia Eagles game against the Green Bay Packers.
A blackout of Disney-owned channels, including ABC and ESPN, has affected approximately 10 million YouTube TV subscribers after the expiration of their carrier deal. The blackout, which began at midnight on Thursday, prevents users from accessing stations like 6ABC in Philadelphia, resulting in the absence of popular shows like "Abbott Elementary" from the streaming platform.
The dispute is centered around a new agreement between Disney and YouTube TV, with neither side willing to meet in the middle. In response to the blackout, YouTube TV has offered subscribers a $20 credit if the stations remain off its service for an extended period, although it did not specify how long that would be.
Disney has accused YouTube TV of using its market dominance as a negotiating tactic, claiming that Google is trying to eliminate competition and undercut industry-standard terms. The company maintains that it remains committed to working toward a resolution with YouTube TV, despite the frustration this has caused for subscribers.
This blackout follows a series of similar disputes between YouTube TV and other networks this year. There were threats of blackouts during negotiations with Paramount in February and Fox Corporation in August. However, YouTube TV was able to avoid these blackouts by reaching temporary contract extensions with NBCUniversal.
The dispute also highlights the complex relationship between media companies and streaming services. With the market value of Disney exceeding $3 trillion, its demands are likely to be substantial. As negotiations continue, it remains to be seen when subscribers will regain access to these channels, including sports events like Monday's Philadelphia Eagles game against the Green Bay Packers.
oh man this is so frustrating for youtube tv subscribers I feel bad for people who can't watch their fave shows like "abbott elementary" anymore 
it's crazy that disney is making all these demands and google is like "okay fine we'll give you a credit but don't expect us to cave in" 
the fact that there are similar disputes with other networks this year makes me wonder if youtube tv is being taken advantage of or not 
I mean disney's market value is insane $3 trillion and they're just negotiating like it's normal business 
this is so frustrating for all those youtube tv users who just want to watch their favorite shows... i feel bad for them not being able to see "abbott elementary" anymore 
and it's even harder that google is trying to use its market dominance as a bargaining chip 
it's like they're taking advantage of the situation 
we just gotta stay patient and hope for the best 
maybe they can find a way to resolve this without affecting the users too much 
I'm so done with these blackouts. 10 million people are affected and still no resolution in sight? It's like they're trying to break our spirits or something 
. And now Disney is blaming Google for using its market dominance as a negotiating tactic? Come on, Disney, be real. You know you're the one holding all the power here 
. My guess is it'll be resolved eventually, but in the meantime, I'm gonna have to catch up on some other shows... and eat some popcorn 
.
what even is going on?! I know both sides are trying to get a fair deal, but $20 credit ain't gonna cut it for me lol. I'm all about supporting creators and networks, but at the same time, Google needs to step up their game too 
it's like the whole sports experience is being held hostage by this blackout 
I just hope they can get their heads together and come up with a solution ASAP 
!! I feel so bad for u guys who got hit with dis blackout 
. I've been there too, remember when they had that dispute w/ NBCUniversal? Luckily, they reached a deal, but this one w/ Disney seems harder to resolve 
, I remember when we used to watch our favorite shows on TV without any fuss. Now, every time there's a dispute between YouTube TV and some network or another, you're stuck in limbo 
...
... Like that's gonna make a difference. It's all about Google trying to strong-arm Disney into giving 'em better deals, right? 
. Meanwhile, YouTube TV is trying to get a better deal from them without losing too much control 
. I'm rooting for you guys to figure this out and get your channels back ASAP 
meanwhile the users just get affected in the middle 
YouTube TV is being super unreasonable about this, like they're trying to strong-arm Disney into giving them better deals 
10 million ppl affected? that's a lot of people missing out on their fave shows 
Can't we just find a way to make this work for everyone? 
anyway, lets hope they resolve this ASAP so we can get back our favorite shows