Disney Asks YouTube TV To Restore ABC For Election Day As Carriage Talks Continue

Core Viewpoint - Disney is urging YouTube TV to restore ABC to its pay-TV bundle for Election Day, emphasizing the importance of public interest amid ongoing carriage renewal negotiations [1][2]. Group 1: Current Situation - Disney's networks, including ABC and ESPN, went dark after failed distribution talks, impacting major events like college football and Monday Night Football [1][3]. - YouTube TV has grown to 10 million subscribers since its launch in 2017, becoming a significant player in the pay-TV market [3]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - Disney has previously accepted blackouts to pursue strategic goals, balancing declining linear viewership with its direct-to-consumer streaming services [4]. - The company has experienced notable blackouts in recent years, including disputes with Charter Communications and DirecTV, which coincided with significant political events [4]. Group 3: Availability of Content - Broadcast network news programming, unlike sports, is more accessible outside traditional pay-TV bundles, with Disney distributing news content like ABC World News Tonight on Hulu [5].