YouTube TV loses ESPN, ABC and Disney channels after Google’s deal expires

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Disney’s suite of networks, including ABC and ESPN, went obscure on YouTube TV after the media conglomerate and Google failed to strike a new deal before Friday’s midnight ET deadline.

It’s the first major blackout for YouTube TV due to a transportation cost dispute in its nearly five-year history (though YouTube TV ditched 19 Sinclair-owned Fox regional sports networks last year). Google has said it will reduce YouTube TV’s monthly price by $ 15 – from $ 64.99 to $ 49.99 – now that the Disney networks have been shut down.

Disney’s previous deal with Google’s YouTube TV for ABC-owned TV stations, ESPN networks, Disney channels, Freeform, FX networks, and National Geographic channels expired Friday (December 17) at 11:59 pm ET.

“We have been conducting good faith negotiations with Disney for several months. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we have not been able to reach a fair deal before the expiration of the existing one and their channels are no longer available on YouTube TV, “Google said in a statement.” We will reduce our monthly price by $ 15, from $ 64.99 to $ 49.99, while this content will remain off our platform. “

Google added, “We know this is frustrating news for our customers and not what we wanted. We will continue conversations with Disney to support your name in hopes of getting their content back on YouTube TV.”

Even with the 23% price cut, YouTube TV is sure to lose a load of angry subscribers due to the blackout. Notably, the service is losing ESPN, the most expensive cable network on the pay-TV line, just as college bowl season begins.

Disney has pointed the finger at Google. “We have been in ongoing talks with Google’s YouTube TV and unfortunately they have refused to reach a fair deal with us under the terms and conditions of the market,” Disney said in a statement to Variety. “As a result, their subscribers have lost access to our unrivaled portfolio of networks, including sports and live news, as well as entertainment programs for children, families and in general from ABC, ESPN networks, Disney channels, Freeform, FX networks and National Geographic channels. “

Disney’s statement continued: “We are ready to reach a fair deal with Google as quickly as possible in order to minimize the inconvenience to YouTube TV viewers by restoring our networks. We hope Google will join us in this. effort”.

The controversy revolved around money: Google said Disney was charging higher fees for its television networks than “similarly-sized pay services,” the internet giant said Monday, when the disagreement went public. In a blog post, YouTube also noted that customers can sign up for the Disney Bundle ($ 13.99 per month) for access to Disney Plus, ESPN Plus, and Hulu on demand with ads.

YouTube TV is one of the largest Internet pay-TV services in the United States with over 4 million subscribers, according to analysts’ estimates. Alphabet (Google’s parent company) last reported that YouTube TV had more than 3 million customers in the third quarter of 2020.

Disney-owned channels that have been blacked out on YouTube TV include: local ABC channels; ABC Live News; Disney Channel; Disney Junior; Disney XD; Free form; FX; FX; FXM; National Geographic; Wild National Geographic; ESPN; ESPN2; ESPN3 (via the ESPN app); ESPNU; ESPNews; SEC network; and ACC network.

Google had a similar NBCUniversal standoff earlier this fall involving a deal for NBCU cable networks and local NBC stations; Before the companies reached a deal, Google had been prepared to cut $ 10 off the monthly YouTube TV price if NBCU channels were blacked out. Meanwhile, last week Roku and Google 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 removed from the Roku Channel Store.

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