Disney YouTube Dispute to Extend Into Weekend

Disney and YouTube TV remain deadlocked in a carriage dispute, keeping ABC, ESPN, and other Disney channels off the platform.

sarah

Nov 8, 2025 - 19:58

Disney YouTube Dispute to Extend Into Weekend

The carriage dispute between YouTube TV and Disney is set to continue.

In a memo sent to employees on Friday, Disney Entertainment co-chairpersons Dana Walden and Alan Bergman and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said that no deal has yet been reached between the two providers. The dispute has resulted in ABC, ESPN, and other Disney channels being unavailable on YouTube TV since October 31, impacting the network's ratings.

The memo stated, “When will ESPN and ABC be back on the service? We wish we could give you that answer today, but unfortunately, we are heading into another sports-filled weekend without a deal.”

The executives claim they offered Google, the owner of YouTube TV, a deal that would be “overall less expensive than the terms of our recently expired license,” and would allow customers to have flexible, customized packages for sports, entertainment, and children and families.

The memo continued, “Despite this, YouTube TV remains insistent on receiving preferential terms below market rates and has offered very few concessions.”

YouTube says Disney is misrepresenting the offer and is demanding higher rates for the ABC network than what Charter and DirecTV pay, and charging more than Hulu and Fubo. They are demanding a most-favored-nation clause that guarantees they will receive the lowest market rate if and when they surpass Comcast and Charter as the largest paid TV provider in the U.S. These clauses are common for large TV players.

A YouTube spokesperson responded to the memo, saying, “Once again, Disney is resorting to its old tactics of leaking documents to the press, engaging in public discourse through its paid talent, and taking credit for our product proposals. Our team is ready to negotiate a fair agreement with other distributors based on their existing deals, and we urge Disney to come to the table and do what’s best for our mutual customers.”