Disney, YouTube TV end blackout, restore channels
Disney and YouTube TV reached a new carriage agreement that ended a blackout that began the night of Oct. 30 and lasted just over two weeks, with ABC, ESPN and other Disney‑owned channels including NatGeo, FX, Freeform, the SEC Network and ACC Network restored over the course of Nov. 14, the companies said. The sides traded public accusations during negotiations — Disney executives Alan Bergman, Dana Walden and Jimmy Pitaro said YouTube TV refused fair rates and was leveraging its dominance, while YouTube TV said Disney's terms were costly and would reduce consumer choice — after a prior 2021 disruption that lasted less than two days.
📌 Key Facts
- Disney and YouTube TV reached a new carriage deal that ended a blackout and restored Disney-owned channels to YouTube TV subscribers.
- The blackout began the night of Oct. 30 and lasted just over two weeks before restoration began on Nov. 14.
- Disney and YouTube TV said channel restoration would occur over the course of Nov. 14; affected/restored channels included ABC, ESPN, NatGeo, FX, Freeform, the SEC Network and the ACC Network.
- Disney executives (Alan Bergman, Dana Walden and Jimmy Pitaro) and YouTube TV issued statements about the restoration timetable.
- The companies publicly traded accusations during negotiations: Disney said YouTube refused fair rates and leveraged its dominance, while YouTube said Disney sought costly terms that would leave consumers with fewer choices.
- A prior Disney–YouTube TV disruption in 2021 lasted less than two days.
📰 Sources (2)
Disney reaches new deal with YouTube TV, ending a blackout that lasted over two weeks
New information:
- Confirms blackout began the night of Oct. 30 and lasted just over two weeks.
- Lists additional affected/restored channels beyond ABC/ESPN (e.g., NatGeo, FX, Freeform, SEC Network, ACC Network).
- Adds statements from Disney (Alan Bergman, Dana Walden, Jimmy Pitaro) and YouTube TV that restoration would occur over the course of the day Nov. 14.
- Details each side’s negotiating positions and public accusations (Disney saying YouTube refused fair rates and used dominance; YouTube citing costly terms and fewer choices).
- Notes prior 2021 Disney–YouTube TV disruption lasted less than two days.