The YouTube TV deal for Disney, ABC, ESPN and other channels expires soon

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Here’s another TV distribution battle that is escalating and could result in a blackout: Google is telling YouTube TV subscribers that its current Disney network suite contract will expire this week and that they may be removed from the service.

Disney confirmed that the contract with YouTube TV for ABC-owned TV stations, ESPN networks, Disney channels, Freeform, FX networks, and National Geographic channels will expire on Friday, Dec.17 at 11:59 pm ET.

“If Disney offers us fair terms, we will renew our agreement with them,” YouTube said in a new blog post. “However, if we are unable to reach an agreement by Friday, the Disney-owned channels will no longer be available on YouTube TV and we will reduce our monthly price by $ 15, from $ 64.99 to $ 49.99 (while this content remains off our platform). “

In its statement, Disney said, “Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution has a very successful track record of negotiating such deals with suppliers of all types and sizes across the country and is committed to working with Google to reach a fair deal. and market-based. We are optimistic that we can reach an agreement and continue to provide their YouTube TV customers with our live sporting events and news coverage, as well as entertainment programs for children, families and in general”.

According to Google, the internet giant is currently in active talks with Disney to reach an agreement to continue distributing networks on YouTube TV “so you can continue watching everything from your favorite teams on ESPN to ‘The Bachelor’ to ‘ Good Morning America ‘.… Disney is an important partner for us and we are actively discussing with them and working hard to keep their content on YouTube TV ”.

“Our request to Disney, as to all of our partners, is to treat YouTube TV like any other TV provider, by offering us the same rates paid by services of a similar size, through Disney channels for as long as we carry them.” YouTube said in the blog.

YouTube also noted that if the two companies fail to reach an agreement, “you may want to consider subscribing to their service, the Disney Bundle, which they offer for $ 13.99 per month” and includes Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus.

The dispute between Google and Disney over YouTube TV distribution comes after a similar dispute between Google and NBCUniversal went public earlier this fall. YouTube TV deal for NBCU cable networks and local NBC stations would expire on September 30; the companies announced a new deal on 2 October. Google was poised to cut YouTube TV’s monthly price by $ 10 if NBCU channels were blacked out.

And last week, Roku and Google finally resolved their differences over the terms of distribution for the main YouTube and YouTube TV apps on the Roku platform, more than seven months after YouTube TV was pulled from Roku.

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