Credit: Inside The MagicThe longest television blackout in Disney’s history has finally come to an end. Late Friday night, Disney reached an agreement with YouTube TV to restore its channels for YouTube’s 10 million subscribers, just in time for the weekend’s college football games.
YouTube TV’s subscribers went two weekends without Disney-owned channels and its college football and NFL content, resulting in significant losses for both. Reports surfaced that Disney was losing $30 million a week over its fight with the Google-owned provider.
One of the sticking points between the two was that YouTube wanted its users to be able to access Disney’s streaming service while remaining on YouTube’s platform, but Disney was not willing to allow its users to stay on another streaming site.
While few details of the deal have emerged in the hours since it was announced, it does appear that Disney has caved on this one aspect. According to NBC News, a part of the “multi-year deal,” allows YouTube TV subscribers to share Disney+ and Hulu content on the YouTube platform.
YouTube’s complaint was that Disney asked for enormous fees for its networks that no one is watching because it offers sports, particularly football, to YouTube TV’s subscribers. Disney responded that YouTube is “misrepresenting the situation.”
YouTube was seeking a better deal than the one 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.
“It (the deal) recognizes the tremendous value of Disney’s programming and provides YouTube TV subscribers with more flexibility and choice,” Disney Entertainment Co-Chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. “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.”
The deal comes just days after Disney announced its earnings, which showed linear network revenue falling 16 percent year over year and operating income dropping 21 percent. After the announcement, Disney’s stock fell 7.8 percent.
YouTube TV subscribers should wake up this morning to find that most Disney-owned channels have been restored to their platform. The longest fight in Disney history is now over, and YouTube TV subscribers can watch their college football in peace.
What was your experience like during the YouTube TV/Disney fight? Let us know in the comments.