YouTube TV plans to offer eligible subscribers a $20 credit starting Sunday, November 9, amidst an ongoing dispute with Disney over the availability of key channels such as ESPN and ABC local stations. The credit, following YouTube’s commitment for compensation if channels were unavailable for an extended period, aims to soothe the frustrations of subscribers who have been without these networks since they were pulled from the service on October 30.
Subscribers will receive an email with instructions on how to apply the credit to their next billing statement, with all credits expected to be processed by November 12. This move comes as viewers face the prospect of missing major events, including the NFL “Monday Night Football” game between the Eagles and Packers on November 10, which is set to air on both ESPN and ABC.
In a statement, YouTube expressed their understanding of subscriber frustrations and encouraged Disney to reach a constructive agreement to restore the channels swiftly. The conflict primarily revolves around pricing, with Google alleging that Disney seeks an unreasonable increase in fees. Conversely, Disney contends that YouTube is unwilling to pay fair rates for the channels.
In an internal memo, Disney executives highlighted that the two parties have not made significant progress towards a deal, expressing disappointment over the inability to provide a timeline for when the content will return. They stated that Disney has proposed terms comparable to those accepted by over 500 other distributors, including a recent agreement with Comcast. Despite this, they accused YouTube of insisting on preferential terms and making minimal concessions.
Furthermore, Disney executives mentioned that they have offered flexible programming packages tailored for YouTube TV, aiming to enhance value for viewers. However, YouTube countered that they had also proposed new packaging and subscription models to provide more choices to their customers.
With both sides remaining firm in their positions, the future of Disney channels on YouTube TV hangs in the balance, but the $20 credit reflects an effort to maintain subscriber loyalty, as negotiations continue on a favorable resolution for all parties involved.