Disney and YouTube TV Reach Multi-Year Deal, Ending Channel Blackout
Disney and YouTube TV finalized a new multi-year deal, restoring ABC, ESPN, and other Disney channels to the streaming platform after a two-week service disruption.
Overview
- Disney and YouTube TV successfully negotiated a new multi-year deal, resolving their carriage dispute and ending a significant blackout on the streaming platform.
- The agreement restores access to a full suite of Disney networks, including ABC, ESPN, and other popular channels, for YouTube TV subscribers.
- The blackout, which began on October 30 due to a failed licensing deal, lasted for approximately two weeks, disrupting coverage of major sports events.
- The resolution means YouTube TV customers regain access to their favorite Disney content, which had been unavailable since the dispute started.
- Beyond channel restoration, the new deal also includes provisions to offer the Disney+ and Hulu bundle on select YouTube offerings, enhancing subscriber value.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the Disney-YouTube TV deal neutrally, focusing on factual reporting of the agreement and its resolution. They present both companies' perspectives on the dispute without taking a side, detailing the financial arguments and the impact on subscribers. The coverage provides balanced context, including past disputes and other network removals.
"The agreement ends a standoff in which Disney pulled programming from YouTube TV in late October."
NBC News"Disney and YouTube TV reached a new deal to bring channels like ABC and ESPN back to the Google-owned live streaming platform Friday, ending a blackout for customers that dragged on for about two weeks."
Associated Press"YouTube TV subscribers have a good chunk of their sports back."
USA TODAY"The new pact includes a form of ingestion, according to a person familiar with the details, but not into YouTube’s channel store."
Deadline"The Disney-YouTube TV carriage impasse will hit Day 16 on Saturday, having become the longest blackout in Disney programming history."
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FAQ
The blackout affected Disney's full suite of networks and stations, including ABC, ESPN, and other popular Disney channels.
The blackout lasted for approximately two weeks, beginning on October 30 and ending with the new agreement.
The new deal includes provisions to offer the Disney+ and Hulu bundle on select YouTube offerings, enhancing subscriber value.
The blackout occurred because Disney and YouTube TV failed to reach a licensing agreement by the previous contract's expiration date.
The channels began to be restored to YouTube TV as soon as the new multi-year deal was announced.
History
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