Most major carrier disputes seem to end before a significant number of viewers are affected, but Google's YouTube TV and Disney's ESPN remain locked in a stalemate. Per Disney, negotiations could "could go for a little while.”
ESPN networks went dark on YouTube TV on Oct. 30. Despite hopes the issues would be resolved and fans would still be able to avoid missing college football or "Monday Night Football," the networks have remained quiet on the platform for multiple football weekends, leaving frustrated customers scrambling for alternatives.
Carriage fees are at the center of the disagreement, with YouTube TV accusing Disney and ESPN of attempting to raise prices and, in turn, force customers to pay more.
"Disney is proposing costly economic terms that would raise prices for YouTube TV customers and give our customers fewer choices, while benefitting Disney’s own live TV products," YouTube TV said in an early statement.
Here are the latest updates as the dispute lingers into another major NFL window.
MORE:Follow the latest YouTube vs. ESPN dispute updates here
YouTube TV and ESPN dispute updates
Friday, Nov. 14
In further details from Disney's Thursday earnings call, according to Awful Announcing, CEO Bob Iger, CFO Hugh Johnston and Treasurer Carlos Gomez "chose not to go into specifics on the current state of live negotiations." Johnston mentioned that while Disney is losing millions of dollars every day from the dispute, "any customers subscribing directly to a Disney or ESPN platform or switching their subscription are at least somewhat mitigating the losses."
Here is a full quote from Disney CEO Bob Iger from the earnings call about the YouTube TV dispute, courtesy of Awful Announcing:
*"*First of all, obviously, we care deeply about our consumer, and our priority has always been to remain on their service without interruption, to close a deal on a timely basis so that interruption does not occur. The deal that we have proposed is equal to or better than what other large distributors have already agreed to. We’re not trying to really break any new ground."
"While we’ve been working tirelessly to close this deal and restore our channels to the platform, it’s also imperative that we make sure that we agree to a deal that reflects the value that we deliver, which both YouTube, by the way, and Alphabet have told us is greater than the value of any other provider. We’re not trying to break new ground. The offer that’s on the table is commensurate with deals that we’ve already struck with actual distributors that are larger than they are. We’re trying really hard, as I said, working tirelessly to close this deal. We’re hopeful that we’ll be able to do so on a timely enough basis to at least give consumers the opportunity to access our content over their platform."
Thursday, Nov. 13
According to Front Office Sports, Disney said that its carriage standoff with YouTube TV, which has now hit 14 days, “could go for a little while.” In Disney's earnings call today, CEO Bob Iger said the company's offer on the table asks Google to agree to terms similar to other carriage deals.
“The deal that we have proposed is equal to or better than what other large distributors have already agreed to,” Iger told analysts. “We’re not trying to really break any new ground.”
CNBC's Alex Sherman reported that YouTube TV wants ESPN's new app, ESPN Unlimited, to be included in the carriage deal. YouTube TV is currently offering $20 credit for its subscribers, and ESPN Unlimited is $29.99 a month.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr recently took to social media to comment on the YouTube TV-Disney dispute, writing that the sides need to "get it done" on his X account on Nov. 10.
"People should have the right to watch the programming they paid for — including football," Carr wrote.
Wednesday, Nov. 12
YouTube TV tells Awful Announcing that the price of ABC, not ESPN, is the sticking point between the two sides, though some of ESPN’s content is also broadcast live on ABC.
YouTube TV also disputed reporting from Puck that the platform is pursuing a lower rate for Disney content than the three largest distributors received, which Disney says would trigger parts of its contracts with those distributors requiring them to offer lower rates. YouTube TV instead says it only wants lower rates once it surpasses those distributors in subscribers and would pay the same rates for the time being.
Additionally on Wednesday, Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported that "there is potential renewed momentum" between YouTube TV and Disney to reach a deal. Per Marchand, one obstacle remaining is "how much to pay for Disney’s ancillary non-sports networks," such as Freeform, FX and National Geographic. While a deal has not been reached, Marchand notes that there is "renewed momentum" toward a conclusion.
Tuesday, Nov. 11
According to Variety, Disney is losing an estimated $30 million per week, or $4.3 million per day, from its networks being pulled off YouTube TV based on Morgan Stanley analysts' estimations.
That reporting marked day No. 12 of the Disney blackout on YouTube TV. Disney is also scheduled to report earnings for the September 2025 quarter on Thursday, Nov. 13.
Monday, Nov. 10
YouTube TV customers were officially informed they will receive a $20 account credit on Sunday, fulfilling a promise Google made as the dispute lingered into the end of the weekend.
"We know it’s been disappointing to lose Disney content, and we want you to know we deeply appreciate your patience. In light of the disruption, we’re offering our subscribers a $20 credit," YouTube TV said to customers in an email. "Over the next few days, you will receive a follow-up email with instructions on how to redeem your $20 credit for YouTube TV. Once redeemed, this will be applied to your next bill."
Senior writer Andrew Marchand of The Athletic believes that if there is no agreement on Monday night, there could be one on Thursday when Disney is set to have an earnings call. Marchand warns that if the two sides go another week with no agreement, that it is not a good sign for one to happen.
Disney CEO Bob Iger joined the "Manningcast" from Lambeau Field for Week 10's "Monday Night Football" game. He talked about his Green Bay Packers' fandom, but did not mention anything about the dispute with YouTube TV or if any progress has been made.
Sunday, Nov. 9
Negotiations between Google and Disney are continuing throughout the weekend, Deadline reports, despite neither side publicly revealing any sign of progress in talks.
Google "submitted a revised proposal to Disney this weekend," the outlet says, with "Monday Night Football" between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers looming.
MORE:See our guide to other streaming options for 'Monday Night Football'
Why is ABC not on YouTube TV?
ABC is not on YouTube TV because Google and Disney failed to reach an agreement on a new deal, and ABC, along with ESPN, is operated by Disney. ESPN claims Google's YouTube TV is "refusing to pay fair rates for our channels," which includes ABC.
Why is ESPN not on YouTube TV?
ESPN and its family of networks are also owned by Disney, which has not been able to come to an agreement with Google on a carriage deal for YouTube TV.
How to watch ESPN without YouTube TV
YouTube TV has nearly 10 million subscribers, so a significant number of fans have been without quick access to football and other sports on ESPN networks for nearly two weeks.
ESPN is available through a number of different alternate streaming platforms, including Fubo, which offers prospective subscribers a free trial.
Streaming Option Cable subscription needed? Free? Cost Free Trial
Hulu + Live TV No No $82.99/month Yes
Sling TV* No No $45.99/month Yes
Fubo No No $54.99/month Yes
How to watch Monday Night Football without YouTube TV
YouTube TV customers already missed out on "Monday Night Football" between the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys, and the matchup between the Eagles and Packers as well. Now, it could be the Cowboys and the Las Vegas Raiders suffering the same fate as the dispute carries on.
Among the options is Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users, along with Hulu + Live TV or Sling TV. Additionally, customers can also buy ESPN Unlimited, the company's new service that offers all of its networks in one place.
Which Disney channels were pulled from YouTube TV?
In addition to ESPN and ABC, Disney pulled more than a dozen channels from YouTube TV's package on the night of Oct. 30.
Here's the list in full:
ABC
ABC News Live
ACC Network
Disney Channel
Disney Junior
Disney XD
ESPN
ESPNews
ESPN2
ESPNU
Freeform
FX
FXM
FXX
Localish
Nat Geo
Nat Geo Wild
SEC Network
ESPN Deportes
Baby TV Español
Nat Geo Mundo