Walt Disney Co. and Alphabet have reached a new agreement to restore ABC, ESPN, and other Disney-owned channels on YouTube TV, ending a two-week outage. Disney said that its full lineup — including ESPN networks, ABC, Disney Channel, FX, Freeform, and National Geographic — is already returning. ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer Unlimited Plan will also be included at no extra cost for YouTube TV subscribers, while some channels will shift into themed add-on packages. Select bundles, such as Disney+ and Hulu, may be offered with certain YouTube TV plans.
The blackout began on October 30 after both sides failed to agree on updated licensing terms. YouTube TV argued Disney was demanding higher fees that would raise consumer prices and push viewers toward Disney’s own streaming platforms. Disney countered that Google refused to pay fair rates and used its market influence to hinder competition. The dispute also involved a request from Disney to restore ABC for Election Day, which YouTube TV declined.
This clash echoes a similar 2021 conflict. YouTube TV currently costs $82.99 monthly, while Disney and ESPN offer separate streaming packages. Univision remains unavailable due to a separate contract lapse.
