YouTube TV has pulled Disney networks including ESPN, ESPN2, FX, Disney Channel and
ABC from its service due to a contract dispute. Disney is looking for more money to broadcast its networks on the YouTube TV subscription service.
The movie has upset many college football fans who watch games on ESPN’s family of networks. ESPN and ABC also air NFL games on Monday Night Football.
YouTube TV has nearly 10 million subscribers who pay $82.99 per month for the service.
Here is a statement released last week by YouTubeTV, which is owned by Google:
Last week Disney used the threat of a blackout on YouTube TV as a negotiating tactic to force deal terms that would raise prices on our customers. They’re now following through on that threat, suspending their content on YouTube TV. This decision directly harms our subscribers while benefiting their own live TV products, including Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.
We know this is a frustrating and disappointing outcome for our subscribers and we continue to urge Disney to work with us constructively to reach a fair agreement that restores their networks to YouTube TV. If their content remains off YouTube TV for an extended period of time, we’ll offer subscribers a $20 credit.
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. Without an agreement, we’ll have to remove Disney’s content from YouTube TV and if it remains unavailable for an extended period of time, we will offer subscribers a $20 credit.
