- Disney-owned channels, including major sports and news networks like ESPN and ABC, have been unavailable on YouTube TV for over a week following a failed contract renewal on October 30.
- The dispute marks YouTube TV’s third negotiation with a major network in two months, but it is the first to result in a prolonged and widespread channel blackout for consumers.
- Both companies are publicly blaming each other, with YouTube TV pointing to Disney’s “costly economic terms” and Disney claiming it offered a deal that would cost less than the previous one.
- To appease frustrated subscribers, YouTube TV has announced it will offer a $20 credit, though it has not specified when the credit will be issued.
Ongoing Dispute Leaves Millions Without Key Channels
Subscribers to YouTube TV are heading into another weekend without access to popular Disney-owned channels like ESPN and ABC as the contract dispute between the two corporate giants passes the week-long mark. The channels were abruptly pulled from the streaming service on October 30 after the companies failed to reach a new contractual agreement, leaving millions of viewers in the dark right in the middle of a “sports-packed weekend.”
A Battle of Blame
Both Disney and YouTube TV, which is owned by Google, are pointing fingers. In a note to employees, Disney executives stated that they had made concessions, even offering YouTube TV a deal “that would cost less overall than the terms of our recently expired license.”
However, YouTube TV has publicly pushed back, accusing Disney of proposing “costly economic terms that would raise prices on YouTube TV customers and give our customers fewer choices.” In a previous statement, the company maintained its position, saying, “We’ve been working in good faith to negotiate a deal with Disney that pays them fairly for their content on YouTube TV.”
A Troubling Trend for YouTube TV
This marks the third time in just two months that YouTube TV has faced a high-stakes contract dispute with a major network partner. In late August, it reached an eleventh-hour agreement with Fox, and last month, it narrowly avoided a blackout of NBCUniversal channels by signing a new deal after the previous one had already expired.
Unlike those previous disputes where temporary extensions kept content online, the negotiations with Disney have resulted in a complete service disruption, making it the most significant consumer-facing conflict for the platform recently. YouTube TV confirmed on X that negotiations are ongoing, but it’s unclear when a resolution might be reached.
Full List of Pulled Disney Channels
The following Disney-owned channels are currently unavailable on YouTube TV:
- ABC
- ABC News Live
- ACC Network
- Disney Channel
- Disney Junior
- Disney XD
- ESPN
- ESPNews
- ESPN2
- ESPNU
- Freeform
- FX
- FXM
- FXX
- Localish
- Nat Geo
- Nat Geo Wild
- SEC Network
- Spanish-language plan: ESPN Deportes, Baby TV Español, Nat Geo Mundo
Image Referance: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/11/07/youtube-tv-disney-espn-abc-contract-dispute/87145718007/
Subscriber Frustration and a $20 Credit
As subscribers take to social media to voice their frustration over the missing channels, YouTube TV is attempting to smooth things over with a $20 credit. The company announced it would offer the credit if the channels remain unavailable for an “extended period,” but has not yet clarified the timeframe or when users can expect to see it. A spokesperson confirmed that subscribers will be notified via email when the credit is available.
Full List of Pulled Disney Channels
The following Disney-owned channels are currently unavailable on YouTube TV:
- ABC
- ABC News Live
- ACC Network
- Disney Channel
- Disney Junior
- Disney XD
- ESPN
- ESPNews
- ESPN2
- ESPNU
- Freeform
- FX
- FXM
- FXX
- Localish
- Nat Geo
- Nat Geo Wild
- SEC Network
- Spanish-language plan: ESPN Deportes, Baby TV Español, Nat Geo Mundo
Image Referance: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/11/07/youtube-tv-disney-espn-abc-contract-dispute/87145718007/