Disney Drops ESPN and ABC from YouTube TV After Talks Collapse
So, here’s what’s making headlines right now—Disney has officially pulled some of its biggest networks, including ESPN and ABC, from YouTube TV after contract negotiations between the two companies fell apart. This means that millions of YouTube TV subscribers suddenly lost access to some of the most-watched channels overnight, including ESPN, ABC, FX, National Geographic, and several regional sports networks.
The disagreement centers around carriage fees — basically, how much YouTube TV pays Disney to include its channels on the platform. Disney says it was seeking fair market terms that reflect the value of its content. On the other hand, YouTube TV claims that Disney was asking for higher rates that would have forced them to raise prices for viewers, something the company says it wanted to avoid.
Talks reportedly went down to the wire, but both sides couldn’t reach an agreement before the existing contract expired. As a result, Disney channels were pulled from YouTube TV early Saturday morning, leaving subscribers staring at blank screens instead of their favorite sports or shows.
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This move hit especially hard for sports fans. ESPN is one of the most popular live TV networks, especially during the college football and NBA seasons. Many fans took to social media to vent their frustration, saying they signed up for YouTube TV specifically because it included ESPN. Without it, a lot of subscribers are now reconsidering whether to stay with the service or switch to another provider.
YouTube TV issued a statement expressing disappointment over Disney’s decision and announced a temporary $15 discount on monthly subscriptions while the channels remain unavailable. The company added that it remains open to resuming discussions and hopes to restore the Disney lineup soon.
Meanwhile, Disney responded by saying it had been negotiating in good faith and that its networks continue to be available on other streaming platforms and traditional cable providers. Essentially, Disney seems to be putting the ball back in YouTube TV’s court, suggesting that if viewers really want ESPN or ABC, they can find them elsewhere.
This isn’t the first time such disputes have happened in the streaming world, but it’s definitely one of the biggest in recent years. With competition heating up between streaming services and cable alternatives, companies are becoming more aggressive in securing better deals for their content.
For now, it’s a waiting game. Either both sides find common ground and bring the channels back—or YouTube TV subscribers may have to start shopping around for another way to catch their favorite games and shows.
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