Disney and YouTube TV have successfully finalized a carriage agreement, concluding a tense negotiation that lasted for 15 days and caused considerable inconvenience for viewers while capturing the attention of the media industry.
This multi-year agreement will see the inclusion of ABC, ESPN, and a range of additional networks. YouTube TV’s 10 million subscribers will also benefit from complimentary access to the Unlimited tier of ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer streaming service. Moreover, the companies have confirmed that the “duo bundle” of Disney+ and Hulu will be integrated into select YouTube offerings, along with a variety of genre-specific packages.
Negotiations had been particularly focused on genre packages and access to ESPN’s streaming service, which launched in August as a strategic response to the growing trend of cord-cutting. Ingesting content, a complex issue given the current streaming landscape, was a crucial sticking point in discussions. Although the new agreement allows for a form of ingestion, it will not extend to YouTube’s channel store, meaning that ESPN Unlimited content will be available directly within the YouTube TV user experience.
Disney’s executives highlighted that this deal underscores their dedication to providing top-notch entertainment while adapting to evolving audience viewing habits. Alan Bergman, Dana Walden, and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro stated, “This agreement recognizes the tremendous value of Disney’s programming and enhances flexibility and choice for YouTube TV subscribers. We are pleased that our networks have been restored just in time for fans to enjoy exciting programming options this weekend, including college football.”
As part of the arrangement, YouTube TV will restore Disney’s programming, including titles stored on cloud DVRs, within the next 24 hours, allowing viewers to catch a full schedule of college football and Monday Night Football, featuring the Dallas Cowboys against the Las Vegas Raiders. Notably, this 15-day blackout was the longest in history for Disney and risked extending a gap in college football coverage into a third weekend during this crucial season.
A YouTube spokesperson expressed satisfaction with the outcome, saying, “We’re happy to share that we’ve reached an agreement with Disney that preserves the value of our service for our subscribers and future flexibility in our offers. We apologize for the disruption and appreciate our subscribers’ patience as we negotiated on their behalf.”
This resolution not only restores vital sports content for viewers but also reflects the dynamic nature of the television landscape, where major platforms continue to adapt to viewer preferences and market demands.