YouTube TV and Disney Secure Multi-Year Deal, ESPN and ABC Channels Now Live
YouTube TV and Disney have announced a new multi-year carriage agreement, bringing an end to a high-profile blackout that saw major Disney-owned channels removed from the streaming platform. As of November 14-15, 2025, channels including ESPN, ABC, Disney Channel, FX, National Geographic, and Freeform are being restored to YouTube TV subscribers. This resolution follows weeks of intense negotiations that significantly impacted subscribers.
The dispute began on October 30, 2025, when the previous agreement between the two giants expired without renewal, leading to the immediate removal of all Disney content. This blackout left millions of YouTube TV users without access to essential live sports, local news, and family entertainment programming.
Restoration and Subscriber Compensation
With the new deal now live, YouTube TV has confirmed that Disney content is returning. Local ABC stations, crucial for news and network programming, are being restored as quickly as possible. Importantly, users' previous recordings, personal preferences, and recommendations for these channels will remain intact once they are back online.
To mitigate the inconvenience experienced by its subscribers during the blackout, YouTube TV is offering a $20 credit. This credit is available to all active YouTube TV Base subscribers and can be claimed until December 9, 2025. Subscribers billed directly through Google Play or other providers will see the credit applied automatically, while direct subscribers need to claim it via the web.
The Core of the Negotiation
The negotiations were complex, primarily centering on carriage fees and Disney's proposal for YouTube TV to include ESPN Unlimited. This new service offers exclusive content, such as WWE programming, beyond what's available in the standard ESPN package. YouTube TV reportedly resisted these additional costs, aiming to avoid a potential price hike for its subscriber base.
During the blackout period, the streaming landscape saw some shifts. YouTube TV reportedly experienced a 35% increase in nightly subscribers, as many users sought alternatives to access live sports and entertainment. Despite this, both companies faced financial losses due to the protracted dispute.
Market Dynamics and Future Outlook
YouTube TV continues to solidify its position in the streaming market, projected to become the largest live TV provider in the U.S. The platform recently surpassed 10 million subscribers, a scale that provided significant leverage in its negotiations with Disney. For Disney, securing distribution on such a large platform is vital for reaching a broad audience with its extensive content portfolio.
This multi-year agreement ensures that YouTube TV maintains its competitive edge by offering high-demand content spanning sports, local news, and diverse entertainment. The deal helps YouTube TV compete effectively against other live TV streaming services like Hulu + Live TV and Fubo, both of which have existing ties to Disney content. For ongoing updates, subscribers are encouraged to monitor official YouTube TV support channels, as the full rollout of local ABC stations may still be in progress.