Disney and YouTube TV strike a deal to end weeks-long blackout

The Walt Disney Company and YouTube TV have reached a deal ending a two-week-long blackout that removed Disney networks and stations from the YouTube TV streaming platform.

On Friday, companies announced that Disney will restore its programming on YouTube TV, including all the ESPN networks and ABC, as part of a multi-year distribution agreement.

“As part of the new deal, Disney’s full suite of networks and stations – including ESPN and ABC – have already begun to be restored to YouTube TV subscribers,” the Walt Disney Company said in a statement.

Customers should already see Disney channels coming back to YouTube TV.

“This new agreement reflects our continued commitment to delivering exceptional entertainment and evolving with how audiences choose to watch,’’ said Disney Entertainment Co-Chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro.

“It recognizes the tremendous value of Disney’s programming and provides YouTube TV subscribers with more flexibility and choice. We are pleased that our networks have been restored in time for fans to enjoy the many great programming options this weekend, including college football.”

In a separate statement, YouTube also shared that the agreement was reached and apologized to subscribers for the disruption.

“Subscribers should see channels including ABC, ESPN and FX returning to their service over the course of the day, as well as any recordings that were previously in their Library,” the company announced.

On October 30th, YouTube revealed that after the threat of a blackout used by Disney as a “negotiation tactic to force deal terms that would raise prices on [its] customers”, Disney suspended their content on the platform. Over 20 Disney-owned channels were removed from YouTube TV.

“This decision directly harms our subscribers while benefiting their own live TV products, including Hulu + Live TV and Fubo,” YouTube said at the time.

The company promised to give subscribers a $20 credit if Disney content remains off the platform for an extended period of time.

YouTube has previously resolved similar high-profile disputes, including one with NBCUniversal, which allowed YouTube to keep shows like “Sunday Night Football” and “America’s Got Talent”.

During the negotiations, YouTube TV said NBCUniversal was asking it to pay “more than what they charge consumers for the same content on Peacock”. The standoff was ultimately resolved with a long-term distribution agreement.

In August, YouTube TV also settled a spat with Rupert Murdoch’s Fox, after it said that Fox was asking for payments “far higher than what partners with comparable content offerings receive.” On August 28th, FOX and YouTube TV announced a renewal of the full portfolio of FOX networks. Financial terms were not disclosed.