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YouTube TV Subscribers Face Loss of Disney-Owned Content

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Disney officials have given Google's YouTube TV until October 30 to reach a new agreement for carriage fees, or its subscribers will lose access to ESPN, FX, and other popular networks owned by Disney. The current deal ends on Thursday, and if no agreement is reached, YouTube TV subscribers will not have access to these channels until a new deal is made. The dispute is the fifth this year for YouTube TV, which has already reached new deals with Fox Corp., NBCUniversal, and Paramount Global. If the content is lost, YouTube TV subscribers will receive a $20 credit.

Key Takeaways:

  • YouTube TV has over 10 million subscribers, making it the nation's largest Internet-based television subscription service.
  • The current deal between Disney and YouTube TV ends on October 30, potentially depriving subscribers of access to Disney-owned channels, including ESPN, FX, and the Disney Channel.
  • YouTube TV is seeking lower carriage fees than market levels for the Disney-owned channels.
  • The contract dispute with Disney is the fifth this year for YouTube TV, which has already negotiated new deals with other major networks.
  • If the content is lost, YouTube TV subscribers will receive a $20 credit.
  • The dispute is a result of "Google's YouTube TV exploiting its position at the expense of their customers," according to a Disney spokesperson.

Statistics:

  • 10 million subscribers: the number of YouTube TV subscribers, making it the nation's largest Internet-based television subscription service.
  • 30: the number of days left for YouTube TV and Disney to reach a new agreement for carriage fees.
  • 5: the number of contract disputes YouTube TV has had this year, including the one with Disney.
  • 20: the amount of credit YouTube TV subscribers will receive if the Disney-owned content providers go dark for an extended period.

Sources:

  • Oct. 24 (UPI: "YouTube TV subscribers face loss of Disney-owned networks")
  • Deadline, "Google's YouTube TV Is Putting Subscribers At Risk Of Losing Most Valuable Networks"
  • Variety, "YouTube TV Will Give Subscribers A $20 Credit If Disney Channels Go Dark"

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