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YouTube TV removed Disney stations, including ESPN, from its streaming service after the two sides failed to reach a new agreement.
The Google-owned YouTube TV announced late Thursday night that its contract with Disney expired without negotiating a new deal. YouTube TV’s official blog claimed Disney threatened a blackout “as a negotiating tactic to force deal terms that would raise prices on our customers.”
“Our contract with Disney has reached its renewal date, and we’ll not agree to terms that disadvantage our members while benefiting Disney’s TV products,” YouTube TV said in a statement posted on social media. “Despite our best efforts, we have not been able to reach a fair deal, and starting today, Disney programming will not be available on YouTube TV. This means you will no longer be able to watch channels like ABC and ESPN or access recordings from these networks in your Library.”
YouTube TV said it will offer customers a $20 credit if they don’t carry Disney content for “an extended period of time.” The base plan costs $82.99 per month following a $10 increase implemented last December.
Meanwhile, ESPN directed the blame at Google in a statement shared by its PR account on Thursday.
“Unfortunately, Google’s YouTube has chosen to deny their subscribers the content they value most by refusing to pay fair rates for our channels,” ESPN’s statement said. “….With a $3 trillion market cap, Google is using its market dominance to eliminate competition and undercut the industry-standard terms we’ve successfully negotiated with every other distributor. We know how frustrating this is for YouTube TV subscribers and remain committed to working toward a resolution as quickly as possible.”
The move is a significant blow for fans who will lose access to live sports during the NFL, NBA and NHL seasons. If not resolved in November, YouTube subscribers won’t be able to watch the New England Patriots play the New York Giants on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” on Dec. 1. ESPN also holds the exclusive rights to an NFL playoff matchup.
Additionally, ESPN and ABC are scheduled to broadcast seven Boston Celtics games this season, starting with a pre-Thanksgiving showdown against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, Nov. 26.
