YouTube TV to lose Disney owned channels. Update: nevermind

[y4j1981]

Just a heads up for those who have or use YouTube TV, on Friday 12/17, they might lose Disney owned channels

variety-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/variety.com/2021/digital/news/disney-youtube-tv-espn-abc-google-carriage-dispute-1235132643/amp/?amp_js_v=a6&_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#aoh=16396130501743&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fvariety.com%2F2021%2Fdigital%2Fnews%2Fdisney-youtube-tv-espn-abc-google-carriage-dispute-1235132643%2F

Google Warns YouTube TV Subscribers That Disney, ABC, ESPN and Other Channels Might Go Dark

Here’s another TV distribution fight that is escalating — and could result in a blackout: Google is telling YouTube TV subscribers that its current contract for Disney’s suite of networks is due to expire this week and that they could be removed from the service.

Disney confirmed that the contract with YouTube TV for ABC-owned TV stations, the ESPN networks, Disney channels, Freeform, the FX networks and the National Geographic channels is set to end on Friday, Dec. 17, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

“If Disney offers us equitable terms, we’ll renew our agreement with them,” YouTube said in a new blog post. “However, if we are unable to reach a deal by Friday, the Disney-owned channels will no longer be available on YouTube TV and we will decrease our monthly price by $15, from $64.99 to $49.99 (while this content remains off our platform).”

In its own statement, Disney said, “Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution has a highly successful track record of negotiating such agreements with providers of all types and sizes across the country and is committed to working with Google to reach a fair, market-based agreement. We are optimistic that we can reach a deal and continue to provide their YouTube TV customers with our live sporting events and news coverage plus kids, family and general entertainment programming.”

According to Google, the internet giant is currently in active negotiations with Disney to reach an agreement to keep distributing networks on YouTube TV “so you can continue watching everything from your favorite teams on ESPN to ‘The Bachelor’ to ‘Good Morning America.’ … Disney is an important partner for us and we’re in active conversations with them and working hard to keep their content on YouTube TV.”

“Our ask to Disney, as with all our partners, is to treat YouTube TV like any other TV provider — by offering us the same rates that services of a similar size pay, across Disney’s channels for as long as we carry them,” YouTube said in the blog.

YouTube also noted that if the two companies can’t reach an agreement, “you can consider signing up for their own service, the Disney Bundle, which they offer for $13.99/month,” and includes Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus.

The spat between Google and Disney for YouTube TV distribution comes after a similar dispute between Google and NBCUniversal became public earlier this fall. The YouTube TV deal for NBCU cable networks and local NBC stations had been set to expire Sept. 30; the companies announced a new pact on Oct. 2. Google had been prepared to cut $10 off the monthly price of YouTube TV if the NBCU channels went dark.

And last week, Roku and Google finally settled their differences over distribution terms for core YouTube and YouTube TV apps on the Roku platform, more than seven months after YouTube TV was pulled from Roku.

[Lizuka #BLM]

I'd actually kind of rather they lose the channels and keep the decreased price.

[Ganon83]

Deal will be made with this next month being ESPN's strongest of the year ratings wise

[The Summer of Muskrat XVII]

Dec 15, 2021 22:09:22 GMT -5 Ganon83 said:

Deal will be made with this next month being ESPN's strongest of the year ratings wise

Yeah, YouTube does not want a situation where they lose ESPN over the holidays. People would lose their shit

[Lizuka #BLM]

They've failed to reach a deal by the deadline so the channels have been removed. Guessing they'll be back up sooner rather than later though.

[sfvega]

Reading on Twitter, they make a convincing argument for playing hardball with YoutTubeTV because Disney is the majority owner of Hulu. So if YTTV takes a big hit, it'll just result in Hulu picking up a number of those customers. And also, Hulu Live is raising their prices. This seems like a conflict on interest, where (as usual) the customers on both sides end up getting screwed.

[Timeless Hayterade]

Not a fan of losing ESPN.

[Clutchhausen]

That's a huge chunk of channels lost. Holy crap.

[Malcolm]

Dec 19, 2021 2:39:58 GMT -5 Clutchhausen said:

That's a huge chunk of channels lost. Holy crap.

Gotta love corporate consolidation.

[mrtuesday]

Dec 18, 2021 20:33:07 GMT -5 sfvega said:

Reading on Twitter, they make a convincing argument for playing hardball with YoutTubeTV because Disney is the majority owner of Hulu. So if YTTV takes a big hit, it'll just result in Hulu picking up a number of those customers. And also, Hulu Live is raising their prices. This seems like a conflict on interest, where (as usual) the customers on both sides end up getting screwed.

It's what many feared when so many streaming sites existed.

These networks are no longer satisfied with just a piece of the pie. They want the entire bakery.

[Non Banjoble Tokens]

Youtube TV still has the exclusive rights to all FAN Produced entertainment programs at least. All those episodes of FANime, FAN-Fiction Theater, and the FANdalorian should draw all sorts of people to subscribe.

[The Summer of Muskrat XVII]

And they’ve reached a new deal

[A Platypus Rave]

Dec 19, 2021 3:29:52 GMT -5 mrtuesday said:

Dec 18, 2021 20:33:07 GMT -5 sfvega said:

Reading on Twitter, they make a convincing argument for playing hardball with YoutTubeTV because Disney is the majority owner of Hulu. So if YTTV takes a big hit, it'll just result in Hulu picking up a number of those customers. And also, Hulu Live is raising their prices. This seems like a conflict on interest, where (as usual) the customers on both sides end up getting screwed.

It's what many feared when so many streaming sites existed.

These networks are no longer satisfied with just a piece of the pie. They want the entire bakery.

while true this is also the kinda shit that's been happening for decades, even before Streaming was really a thing

[y4j1981]

Yea, new deal. Enjoy your one $15 discount

ESPN, ABC, & other Disney channels returning to YouTube TV

Disney channels are returning to YouTube TV after being unavailable for most of the weekend, following a new deal.

The channels, including ESPN and FX, are slowly starting to reappear in YouTube TV, while “your local ABC station will also be turning on throughout the day.” This includes live and on-demand content, as well as previous Disney recordings in your Library/DVR.

Your price will revert to $64.99, but all impacted members will still receive a one-time $15 discount. As always, we thank you for your membership and keep a lookout for an email with more details from us.

At midnight ET on Saturday, 18 Disney channels disappeared from YouTube TV after the two companies failed to reach a new contract. On Saturday afternoon, Google’s cord-cutting service announced that it “reached a deal with Disney.” Behind-the-scenes details have yet to be reported, so it’s unclear who blinked. The company did note that it “appreciates Disney’s partnership and willingness to work towards an agreement.”

Google said it wanted Disney to “treat YouTube TV like any other TV provider – by offering us the same rates that services of a similar size pay, across Disney’s channels for as long as we carry them.”

Your local ABC channel, ABC News Live, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Freeform, FX, FXX, FXM, National Geographic, National Geographic Wild, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 (by authentication to the ESPN app), ESPNU, ESPNEWS, SEC Network, ACC Network

Meanwhile, Disney aired a lot of Hulu + Live TV subscription ads over the past few days.

In terms of next steps, YouTube TV “will still honor a one-time credit for all impacted Base Plan members.” This also applies to members that “initiated the cancellation process.”

For active members who have not yet received that $15 discount on their monthly bill, you will automatically receive a one-time credit on your next bill with no action needed. Note that your bill in Settings will not reflect this credit until you have been charged.

Members who are in a paused state will receive this credit one month after their first charge. Verizon-billed users will automatically receive this as a one-time discount of $15 on their next bill.

For any of you who were impacted and have initiated the cancellation process, we will still honor the one-time $15 credit on your bill if you resume your membership before you lose access. Visit tv.youtube.com/membership and click ‘Add’ to return the Base Plan to your membership. Note, you will still see a $64.99 price upon re-activating your membership, but a one-time discount will be reflected in your next bill.

[eJm]

Dec 20, 2021 1:54:47 GMT -5 A Platypus Rave said:

Dec 19, 2021 3:29:52 GMT -5 mrtuesday said:

It's what many feared when so many streaming sites existed.

These networks are no longer satisfied with just a piece of the pie. They want the entire bakery.

while true this is also the kinda shit that's been happening for decades, even before Streaming was really a thing

Yeah, how many times have you seen a group of networks own by a conglomerate use time on their programming to blame Time Warner Cable or Comcast or Direct TV or whoever for being stingy to us, the viewer, so we can keep enjoying our shows on their cable network to basically try and get the audience to call them directly and tell them to stand up for their viewing rights or whatever?

I’m pretty sure I remember WWE doing it at least once for the NBC group of networks.

[A Platypus Rave]

Dec 20, 2021 4:25:56 GMT -5 eJm said:

Dec 20, 2021 1:54:47 GMT -5 A Platypus Rave said:

while true this is also the kinda shit that's been happening for decades, even before Streaming was really a thing

Yeah, how many times have you seen a group of networks own by a conglomerate use time on their programming to blame Time Warner Cable or Comcast or Direct TV or whoever for being stingy to us, the viewer, so we can keep enjoying our shows on their cable network to basically try and get the audience to call them directly and tell them to stand up for their viewing rights or whatever?

I’m pretty sure I remember WWE doing it at least once for the NBC group of networks.

I remember like in New York... "CABLEVISION DOESN'T WANT YOU TO WATCH THE METS/YANKEES!" happen a few times because whoever had the broadcast rights wanted more money... and Cablevision didn't want to pay.

Usually fired back with a Cablevision ad about how... they weren't the bad guys and complain to the owners of the channels...

and my stance was always... neither of you are my friend I'm sure your somehow both the asshole here <_<

[eJm]

Dec 20, 2021 4:31:37 GMT -5 A Platypus Rave said:

Dec 20, 2021 4:25:56 GMT -5 eJm said:

Yeah, how many times have you seen a group of networks own by a conglomerate use time on their programming to blame Time Warner Cable or Comcast or Direct TV or whoever for being stingy to us, the viewer, so we can keep enjoying our shows on their cable network to basically try and get the audience to call them directly and tell them to stand up for their viewing rights or whatever?

I’m pretty sure I remember WWE doing it at least once for the NBC group of networks.

I remember like in New York... "CABLEVISION DOESN'T WANT YOU TO WATCH THE METS/YANKEES!" happen a few times because whoever had the broadcast rights wanted more money... and Cablevision didn't want to pay.

Usually fired back with a Cablevision ad about how... they weren't the bad guys and complain to the owners of the channels...

and my stance was always... neither of you are my friend I'm sure your somehow both the asshole here <_<

Pretty much, yeah. Like, both of you are trying to take the strategy many corporations did of trying to manipulate viewers into taking a side and being loyal even though the likelihood is that you’re doing some kind of unnecessary power play when all of it is going to be resolved when they both realize the potential loss revenue. Hell, Disney and Sony did it almost three years ago now with Spider-Man and Feige is like “It’s not going to happen again, we’re good friends!”…until one side needs more of the pie and can’t bother negotiating for it.

[Ultimo Gallos]

I dont know if this is still happening,but the cable in town,CableOne,lost all the viacom channels in 2009. Last I saw they still don't have them. But the Cable bill goes up at least 2 times a year.

And wow YoutubeTV is 65 buck!!! That is what I was paying for cable last time I had it.

[Terry McConkey]

Dec 20, 2021 4:31:37 GMT -5 A Platypus Rave said:

Dec 20, 2021 4:25:56 GMT -5 eJm said:

Yeah, how many times have you seen a group of networks own by a conglomerate use time on their programming to blame Time Warner Cable or Comcast or Direct TV or whoever for being stingy to us, the viewer, so we can keep enjoying our shows on their cable network to basically try and get the audience to call them directly and tell them to stand up for their viewing rights or whatever?

I’m pretty sure I remember WWE doing it at least once for the NBC group of networks.

I remember like in New York... "CABLEVISION DOESN'T WANT YOU TO WATCH THE METS/YANKEES!" happen a few times because whoever had the broadcast rights wanted more money... and Cablevision didn't want to pay.

Usually fired back with a Cablevision ad about how... they weren't the bad guys and complain to the owners of the channels...

and my stance was always... neither of you are my friend I'm sure your somehow both the asshole here <_<

I'd tell 'em both to solve their little pissing match or they're losing my business.