YouTube TV Removes Disney Channels

YouTube TV and Disney failed to reach a renewal agreement by the Oct. 30–31 deadline, causing roughly 21 Disney-owned channels — including ABC, ESPN, FX, National Geographic and Disney Channel — to go dark for about 9–10 million YouTube TV subscribers. The blackout removed access to live sports (MLB, college football, NFL) and erased previously recorded programs from subscriber DVR libraries. The impasse centers on money and carriage terms: Google says Disney demanded large rate increases that would raise subscriber prices and advantage Disney’s own services (Hulu + Live TV, Fubo), while Disney accuses Google of using its market power to undercut industry-standard deals and says YouTube pulled channels shortly before the contract expired. YouTube TV is offering a one-time $20 credit if the outage continues and says talks are ongoing; Disney has urged employees and the public to pressure YouTube and pointed customers to alternative providers.