YouTube TV subscribers have lost access to Disney channels, including ABC and ESPN, following a failed negotiation for a new content distribution agreement.
In addition to the main channels, services like the Disney Channel, FX, and Nat Geo are also no longer available on Google’s platform.
Late Thursday, YouTube TV confirmed through a blog post that Disney had acted on its threat to pull its content during the talks.
This disruption might affect viewers’ access to college football games over the weekend, along with various NBA, NFL, and NHL matchups.
As the leading internet TV provider in the U.S., YouTube TV has over 9 million subscribers, while Hulu, owned by Disney, follows with about half that number.
Recently, viewers have been alerted to the situation, thanks to notifications appearing on their screens.
YouTube accused Disney of using the potential blackout as a bargaining chip, which would lead to price increases for subscribers. The removal of Disney content could also benefit Disney’s own services like Hulu + Live TV and Fubo, claims YouTube.
“We understand this is frustrating for our subscribers, and we continue to invite Disney to collaborate with us to restore their networks,” the company stated.
As part of their response, YouTube plans to offer a $20 credit to subscribers if Disney’s channels remain unavailable for an extended period. The base monthly subscription for YouTube TV is currently $82.99.
On the other hand, Disney argues that YouTube TV is unwilling to pay fair rates for its channels, essentially depriving its subscribers of content they cherish, especially with top college teams playing this weekend.
Disney criticized Google, which has a market cap of $3 trillion, claiming it uses its dominance to stifle competition and undercut industry-standard agreements that Disney has successfully secured with other distributors. Still, the company expressed a commitment to resolving the issue swiftly.
