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Credit: DisneyEarly November is a big time for Disney-owned cable networks. Rivalries start to play out in college football, it’s the middle of the season in the NFL, the NBA kicks off its season, and new and returning shows are just starting to find their footing. However, those programs could go black for millions this week as Disney finds itself in another fight with a cable provider.
This week, Disney started airing ads on YouTube TV warning customers that all Disney-owned channels could go black on October 30 if the two sides cannot agree on a new contract. This fight with Disney comes just weeks after YouTube TV settled its dispute with NBC Universal to keep its networks on the streaming giant.
YouTube is currently looking for a better deal than the one that Disney signed with Charter two years ago. In that deal, Charter customers got free access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ with their Charter subscription. According to sources, Disney is offering YouTube the same agreement it gave Charter.
However, YouTube TV is not budging on one sticking point. They want users to remain on their platform while accessing Disney’s streaming services, rather than leaving YouTube and going to the Disney platform.
“This is the latest example of Google exploiting its position at the expense of their own customers,” a Disney spokesperson said in a statement. “If we don’t reach a fair deal soon, YouTube TV customers will lose access to ESPN and ABC, and all our marquee programming — including the NFL, college football, NBA and NHL seasons — and so much more.”
YouTube TV believes that its 10 million subscribers give it leverage for its customers to access Disney’s streaming platforms without leaving its site. However, Charter asked for the same option from Disney for its 30 million subscribers, and Disney refused.
This fight may be a little more personal for Disney, as YouTube recently hired Disney distribution executive Justin Connolly away. Disney is suing Connolly for breach of contract, and Connolly has recused himself from these negotiations.
As the hours tick by, the two sides don’t appear to be any closer to an agreement, as eager fans anticipate losing their sports and TV shows.
Who stands to lose the most in this battle between Disney and YouTube? Let us know in the comments.