Disney Restores ABC, ESPN and Other Channels to YouTube TV After Two-Week Dispute

Disney and YouTube TV have settled their licensing dispute, bringing Disney-owned channels back to the platform after more than two weeks of blackout for millions of subscribers.

Disney confirmed on Friday that the agreement reinstates its entire portfolio of networks — including ESPN, ABC, FX, Freeform, NatGeo, and several college sports channels — and that the return of programming has already begun.
YouTube TV said subscribers should see the channels reappear throughout the day, thanking users for their patience and acknowledging the inconvenience caused by the outage.

How the blackout began

The disruption started late on October 30, when Disney’s channels disappeared from YouTube TV after both companies failed to finalize a new contract.
The removal had an immediate impact on viewers: ESPN’s live sports coverage went dark, ABC affiliates dropped from the lineup, and multiple entertainment and documentary channels were no longer accessible.

This led to missed college football games, delayed access to news coverage, and gaps in primetime programming—an unusually long interruption for a major bundle of mainstream channels.

A public clash over pricing and terms

During the standoff, each side accused the other of being responsible for the breakdown.
YouTube TV argued that Disney pushed for higher fees that would ultimately fall on subscribers and reduce the platform’s flexibility in how it offered channel packages. The company also hinted that the blackout gave Disney an advantage by pushing viewers toward Hulu + Live TV and other Disney-owned services.

Disney countered that YouTube TV refused to agree to what it considered fair market pricing for its channels. The company also criticized Google for removing the channels before the previous agreement officially expired and claimed Google used its platform influence in ways that undermined competition.

Their disagreement spilled into the public sphere, with both companies issuing statements while viewers were left in the middle.

Channels return as both companies declare success

When the new agreement was announced, YouTube TV said the deal maintains the value of its service and preserves room for future adjustments.
Disney’s leadership — including Disney Entertainment co-chairs Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro — expressed relief that viewers would regain access ahead of a major weekend of college football and other live events.

Previous Contract Issues

Contract disputes have become increasingly common as live TV platforms and media companies renegotiate fees and rights in a crowded streaming market. Disney and YouTube TV previously clashed in 2021, but that dispute lasted just under two days.

YouTube TV has also been involved in other carriage conflicts. Its disagreement with TelevisaUnivision left Univision and related channels unavailable since September 30. TelevisaUnivision criticized the move, saying it cut off millions of Spanish-speaking viewers from essential programming.

Subscription pricing and alternatives

YouTube TV’s standard plan costs $82.99 per month, offering access to local broadcast networks and a range of live TV channels. The company previously said customers could request a $20 credit if the Disney blackout continued for an extended period; subscribers were able to begin requesting the credit on November 9.

Disney distributes live content through multiple platforms. ESPN launched a standalone streaming service earlier this year for $29.99 per month, while other content from the company is available through Hulu, Disney+, and Fubo. Disney also offers a bundle with ESPN, Hulu, and Disney+ starting at $35.99 per month, with promotional pricing available for new users.

Also Read: Disney Losing $4 Million Daily in YouTube TV Blackout Over ESPN and ABC