A spat between Google and Disney could mean that YouTube TV subscribers will lose ESPN and ABC from their channel lineup at the end of the month.
DIsney’s current deal with Google expires on Oct. 30 and so far the two have not reached a new distribution agreement. Last night Disney started running messages on YouTube TV warning viewers about the potential change.
CNBC reported that major sticking points are that YouTube TV is asking for better rates on Disney’s content, and wants its subscribers to be able to watch Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ on YouTube TV.
A Disney spokesperson told CNBC, ““This is the latest example of Google exploiting its position at the expense of their own customers.”
And for its part, YouTube said, “Unfortunately, Disney is proposing costly economic terms that would raise prices on YouTube TV customers and give our customers fewer choices, while benefiting Disney’s own live TV products — like Hulu + Live TV and, soon, Fubo.”
Getting caught in the crossfire of dealmaking is something that YouTube TV’s 10 million subscribers have been accustomed to lately. Earlier this month, they faced possibly losing NBCUniversal programming and late in the summer there was the same risk with Fox channels. In both cases, a deal was reached, but success in these cases is not always guaranteed.
Last month, those with YouTube TV lost access to Univision after the two media companies could not come to an agreement.
“For the fourth time in three months, Google’s YouTube TV is putting their subscribers at risk of losing the most valuable networks they signed up for,” a Disney spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline. “This is the latest example of Google exploiting its position at the expense of their own customers.
YouTube TV said that if it removes Disney content for “an extended period of time,” it will give subscribers a $20 credit. That’s unlikely to cut it with customers when the service is $82.99 per month, and they would be missing out on the current NFL, college football, NBA, and NHL seasons.
