Disney reaches new deal with YouTube TV, ending a blackout that lasted
over two weeks
[November 15, 2025]
By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS
NEW YORK (AP) — Disney and YouTube TV reached a new deal to bring
channels like ABC and ESPN back to the Google-owned livestreaming
platform Friday, ending a blackout for customers that dragged on for
over two weeks.
“As part of the new deal, Disney’s full suite of networks and stations —
including ESPN and ABC — have already begun to be restored to YouTube TV
subscribers,” The Walt Disney Co. said in a statement.
YouTube TV also confirmed the return of Disney content on its platform,
noting that subscribers should see channels back “over the course of the
day.” It apologized for the disruption and thanked customers for their
“patience as we negotiated on their behalf.”
Disney content went dark on YouTube TV the night of Oct. 30 after the
two sides failed to reach a new licensing deal. In the days that
followed, YouTube TV subscribers were left without Disney channels on
the platform — notably disrupting coverage of top college football
matchups and professional sports games, as well as news and
entertainment programming.
Beyond ESPN and ABC, other Disney-owned content removed from YouTube TV
during the impasse included channels like NatGeo, FX, Freeform, SEC
Network, ACC Network and more.
Disney Entertainment Co-Chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden and ESPN
Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said Friday that they were “pleased that our
networks have been restored in time for fans to enjoy the many great
programming options this weekend, including college football.”
When talks broke down last month, YouTube TV said Disney was proposing
costly terms that would lead to higher prices for and fewer choices for
its subscribers. It accused Disney of using the blackout as a
negotiating tactic — claiming the maneuver also benefited Disney’s own
streaming products like Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.
Disney, meanwhile, said that YouTube TV had refused to pay fair rates
for its channels. The California entertainment giant also accused Google
of “using its market dominance to eliminate competition." And executives
blasted the platform for pulling content “prior to the midnight
expiration” of their deal in late October.
Both sides also publicly sparred over negotiations and content available
leading up to Nov. 4 elections across the U.S.
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 By the time Disney's channels
returned to YouTube TV, Google's streamer said it had “reached an
agreement with Disney that preserves the value of our service for
our subscribers and future flexibility in our offers.” Disney
executives maintained that the deal reflected the company's
“continued commitment to delivering exceptional entertainment and
evolving with how audiences choose to watch.”
The two-week blackout is among a growing list of licensing disputes
seen in the streaming world today, particularly as competition grows
overs hosting live content. And consumers often pay the price when
company negotiations break down.
The showdown between Disney and YouTube was not their first. YouTube
TV subscribers lost access to all Disney content after 2021 contract
talks broke down, but that disruption lasted less than two days.
And YouTube TV has removed other content from its platform after
expired agreements. Spanish-language broadcaster Univision has been
unavailable on YouTube TV since Sept. 30, for example. Parent
company TelevisaUnivision decried Google's move, saying it would
strip “millions of Hispanic viewers of the Spanish-language news,
sports, and entertainment they rely on every day,” and called on the
platform to reverse course.
YouTube TV’s base subscription plan costs $82.99 per month — which,
beyond Disney content, currently includes live TV offerings from
networks like NBC, CBS, Fox, PBS and more. The platform previously
said it would give subscribers a $20 credit its dispute with Disney
lasted “an extended period of time" — which it reportedly allowed
customers to start claiming on Nov. 9.
Disney also doles out live TV through both traditional broadcasting
and its own lineup of streaming platforms. ESPN launched its own
streamer earlier this year, starting at $29.99 a month. And other
Disney content can be found on platforms like Hulu, Disney+ and Fubo.
Disney currently allows people to bundle ESPN along with Hulu and
Disney+ for $35.99 a month — or $29.99 a month for the first year.
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