CNET·2025-11-04 18:48Core Points - A contract dispute between Disney and YouTube TV has led to the removal of multiple Disney-owned channels from the streaming service, with no immediate resolution in sight [1] - The disagreement centers around the "carriage fee" that Google pays Disney for broadcasting its channels, a recurring issue for Disney with other broadcasters [1][4] - YouTube TV has rejected Disney's request to restore the ABC channel for election coverage, citing customer confusion as a reason [2] - YouTube TV has proposed to restore Disney channels while negotiations continue, but Disney claims YouTube TV is not paying fair rates [3][9] - Disney channels removed from YouTube TV include ESPN, ABC, FX, and several others, impacting a wide range of viewers [6][5] Company-Specific Insights - YouTube TV, owned by Google, has over 9 million subscribers, making it the largest internet TV provider, while Hulu, owned by Disney, has 4.3 million subscribers [4] - Disney has accused YouTube TV of deleting previously recorded shows from subscribers' libraries and not being interested in a fair deal [9] - YouTube TV has offered a $20 credit to subscribers if content remains unavailable for an extended period [8] Industry Context - Disney has faced similar disputes with other platforms, including Spectrum/Charter in 2023 and DirecTV in 2024, indicating a pattern of negotiation challenges [1][7] - The ongoing dispute highlights the significant bargaining power that Google holds compared to other platforms in the industry [7] - The situation reflects broader trends in the streaming industry, where content providers and platforms often clash over pricing and content availability [9]