Disney and YouTube TV have finalized a new agreement that restores major channels—including ABC and ESPN—to Google’s livestreaming service, ending a blackout that lasted more than two weeks.
Disney announced that its full lineup of networks and local stations has begun returning to YouTube TV. The streaming platform confirmed the restoration as well, telling subscribers they would see channels reappear throughout the day and apologizing for the outage.
Disney programming was removed from YouTube TV on Oct. 30 after the companies failed to agree on a new licensing deal, leaving viewers without access to popular sports, news, and entertainment content. The blackout affected major channels such as NatGeo, FX, Freeform, SEC Network, ACC Network, and others—disrupting coverage of major college football games and other live events.
Disney executives Alan Bergman, Dana Walden, and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said they were glad the channels were back in time for a busy weekend of programming, including college football.
During the standoff, YouTube TV accused Disney of pushing for price hikes that would reduce subscriber choice and claimed Disney was using the blackout as leverage to boost its own streaming services, including Hulu + Live TV and Fubo. Disney countered that YouTube TV had refused to pay fair market rates and accused Google of leveraging its market dominance. Disney also said YouTube TV pulled its channels before the previous contract officially expired.
Negotiations were especially tense ahead of the Nov. 4 elections, with both companies publicly criticizing each other.
Once the new deal was finalized, YouTube TV said it managed to protect the value and flexibility of its service, while Disney said the agreement reflects its commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment and adapting to viewers’ changing habits.
The dispute is one of many high-profile clashes over streaming rights as competition intensifies—often leaving subscribers caught in the middle. Disney and YouTube TV have had similar conflicts before, including a 2021 breakdown that lasted less than two days. Other networks have also been removed from YouTube TV after expired contracts; Univision, for example, has been off the platform since Sept. 30.
YouTube TV’s base plan costs $82.99 per month and includes live content from NBC, CBS, Fox, PBS and more. The platform previously promised a $20 credit if the Disney dispute continued for an extended period, and customers began claiming it on Nov. 9.
Disney distributes live TV both through traditional channels and its own streaming services. ESPN launched a standalone streaming service earlier this year at $29.99 per month, while other Disney programming is available via Hulu, Disney+, or Fubo. Disney currently offers a bundle of ESPN, Hulu, and Disney+ for $35.99 per month—or $29.99 per month for the first year.