Disney and YouTube TV Feud

(image courtesy of DEALINE)

On October 30th, 2025, a feud between Disney and YouTube TV broke out. Millions of subscribers did not have access to some of their favorite channels on YouTube TV, including: ESPN, ABC News, National Geographic, and Freeform.
by Mariana Castaneda

On October 30, 2025, a feud between Disney and YouTube TV broke out. Millions of subscribers did not have access to some of their favorite channels on YouTube TV, including ESPN, ABC News, National Geographic, and Freeform. 

The problem began when YouTube TV and Disney failed to reach a new distribution agreement(a legal contract that gives a distributor the right to market and sell a TV show to various platforms) before midnight.

The feud mainly centered around money, money that Disney has more than enough of. Disney said, “Unfortunately, Google’s YouTube TV has chosen to deny their subscribers the content they value most by refusing to pay fair rates for our channels, including ESPN and ABC,” (DEALINE). ESPN is one of the most-watched sports networks in the world, so this loss was devastating. With Disney being overcome with greed, they asked YouTube TV for higher rates. This would mean the company would have to raise subscription prices. 

The blackout affected sports fans and families who watched on the platform. Viewers lost access to everything from Monday Night Football to local news from ABC broadcasts. Many say that both companies could lose millions of dollars the longer the blackout continues. YouTube TV has since compensated for this whole situation by issuing $20 credit to affected subscribers, all while Disney channels are still down. (The Columbus Dispatch)

While both sides say they're negotiating, no clear resolution has been reached. In the end, Disney and YouTube TV have to find a common ground, and while they do, subscribers are left channel surfing.