YouTube TV Subscribers Say "See You Real Soon" to Disney-Owned Networks

Subscribers of YouTube TV could potentially lose their Disney-owned networks at the end of the month, as Disney and the streamer continue their carriage negotiations close to their blackout deadline.

UPDATE (10/31/25): Unfortunately, Disney and YouTube TV failed to reach a carriage deal. In turn, ABC, ESPN, and other Disney networks have "gone dark" on the service. According to Deadline, the switch actually flipped a bit early, with these networks being removed around 11:15 p.m. ET last night.

Disney execs also sent the following memo to staffers about the situation:

Team, 
As you are no doubt aware, last night YouTube TV pulled our channels from their service, prior to the midnight expiration of our deal, and with no advance notice to their subscribers, or to us. In doing so, they not only cut off access to our live programming but also deleted all previously recorded shows and events from their subscribers’ libraries. Their actions make clear how little regard they have for their customers and are consistent with an attitude which has been prevalent throughout our negotiations — YouTube TV and its owner, Google, are not interested in achieving a fair deal with us. Instead, they want to use their power and extraordinary resources to eliminate competition and devalue the very content that helped them build their service.
We are enormously proud of the work done by so many of you to create the highest quality and most compelling content. At ESPN and ABC in particular, we have made significant investments in programming, including the best line-up of live sports ​in the industry — bar none.  On ABC alone, we have increased the number of live games by nearly 80% over the past several years. The lineup for this weekend is incredible and includes 13 of the top 25 college football teams on our platforms, a double header of NWSL games on ESPN, and leads right into Monday Night Football featuring the Arizona Cardinals vs. the Dallas Cowboys on ABC.   
The bottom line is that our channels are extremely valuable, and we can only continue to program them with the sports and entertainment viewers love most if we stand our ground against tactics that threaten the integrity of our business and the value of our creative work. We are asking nothing more of YouTube TV than what we have gotten from every other distributor – fair rates for our channels.  
We will keep you informed as this matter progresses. For those of you who are YouTube TV customers and have lost access to our channels, there are other ways you can watch, which you can find here: KeepMyNetworks.com.
We know how hard so many of you work every day to create, promote, and support our programming.  We’re deeply grateful for your continued focus, professionalism, and commitment.  
Alan, Dana & Jimmy

Previously (10/24/25): 

• YouTube TV subscribers have been given a warning that they may soon lose access to all Disney-owned channels as carriage negotiations continue. 
• Disney has been negotiating with the Google-owned streaming platform, asking for the same package flexibility and rates they offer to other partners, while also determining YouTube’s rates to be below market terms.
• Now, especially with Disney-Owned ESPN, and Football (college and pro) NBA, and NHL seasons on Disney-Owned ABC, Disney argues that they are a significant draw to the live TV streaming platform. 
• YouTube TV argues back, saying that if they met Disney’s terms, subscribers would see a price increase. 
• A YouTube TV spokesperson told The Wrap,  “We’ve been working in good faith to negotiate a deal with Disney that pays them fairly for their content on YouTube TV. Unfortunately, Disney is proposing costly economic terms that would raise prices on YouTube TV customers and give our customers fewer choices, while benefiting Disney’s own live TV products – like Hulu + Live TV and, soon, Fubo.”
• The rest of the statement says “We invest significantly in our content and expect our partners to pay fair rates that recognize that value. If we don’t reach a fair deal soon, YouTube TV customers will lose access to ESPN and ABC, and all our marquee programming – including the NFL, college football, NBA and NHL seasons – and so much more.”
• Should an agreement not be reached, all of Disney’s content will be removed from YouTube TV. Should it be unavailable for an extended period of time, subscribers will receive a $20 credit, though YouTube TV did not specify how long that extended period would need to be. 
• This isn’t the first time that Disney and YouTube TV have had a carriage dispute. It also happened back in 2021 and led to a 2-day blackout of Disney-owned networks and programming. 
• Should an agreement not be met, this will happen again after Thursday, October 30th - the deadline for when the contract should be resolved. That will lead to channels like ESPN and ABC going dark. 
• Disney has removed content over agreement disputes not only with YouTube TV, but DirecTV in 2024, Charter (Spectrum) in 2023, and Dish Network in 2022. 
• NBCUniversal reportedly came close to a blackout themselves with YouTube TV earlier this month, narrowly avoiding it and allowing YouTube TV subscribers access to their networks - like NBC, Telemundo, Bravo, USA, and others.  

What They’re Saying: 

• Disney Spokesperson: “For the fourth time in three months, Google’s YouTube TV is putting their subscribers at risk of losing the most valuable networks they signed up for. This is the latest example of Google exploiting its position at the expense of their own customers.”

Cut the Cord: 

• YouTube TV remains a popular alternative for those “cord cutters” who don’t subscribe to more traditional cable tv services, though in some cases, their prices are relatively comparable. 
• However, this means that they can take their subscription with them wherever they go, not just limited to in-home television screens. 
• With new ESPN and other Disney-owned streaming platforms, like the similar Hulu + Live TV, it’s easy to see YouTube TV’s argument since one could easily jump to one (or all of those) platforms if their prices were to jump any higher just for Disney-owned networks.