YouTube TV subscribers found themselves without ESPN on Thursday night after failed negotiations between the Google-owned service and the popular sports network. It wasn’t just ESPN, though; a bunch of Disney-owned channels, including ABC, FX, Disney Junior, and National Geographic, also went dark, affecting over 10 million users. This situation has escalated a long-standing dispute between the two companies.
The root of the issue centers on pricing, with each side blaming the other in statements released that evening, as reported by a source.
Disney expressed frustration, stating, “Unfortunately, Google’s YouTube TV has chosen to deny its subscribers the content they value most by refusing to pay a fair price for channels like ESPN and ABC.” They emphasized the significance of their programming, especially with major sporting events lined up for the weekend, claiming that Google is using its massive market power to influence terms in a way that advantages them over other platforms.
In response, Google accused Disney of leveraging the blackout as a tactic to push customers toward services it owns, like Hulu + Live TV.
According to Google, Disney’s actions are harmful to YouTube TV subscribers and that the situation undermines a potential fair agreement. They announced a $20 credit for subscribers affected by the blackout of ESPN or any other Disney networks for an “extended period.”
The timing is especially critical since important college football games are scheduled for the weekend on networks like ABC and ESPN, including matchups featuring top-ranked teams.
Oh, and sports fans will be missing out on ESPN’s beloved “College GameDay,” which is airing this Saturday in Salt Lake City.
This isn’t the first time YouTube TV has faced disputes. Recently, they resolved similar issues with other networks like Fox and Comcast before things escalated to a blackout scenario.
