Disney Exec Says ESPN Outage on YouTube TV May 'Go for a Little While'
CNET·2025-11-14 17:40

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing negotiations between Disney and YouTube TV regarding the carriage fees for Disney's streaming channels have stalled, leading to significant subscriber losses for YouTube TV and revenue losses for Disney [1][4][5]. Group 1: Negotiation Status - Disney's CFO indicated that the company has prepared for a prolonged negotiation period due to the YouTube TV outage [2] - Disney CEO Bob Iger emphasized the importance of reaching a deal that reflects the value Disney provides [2] - The disagreement centers around the carriage fees YouTube TV pays to Disney, with Disney asserting that YouTube TV is not paying enough [3][9] Group 2: Subscriber Impact - Approximately 24% of YouTube TV subscribers have canceled or plan to cancel their subscriptions due to the lack of core content [4] - YouTube TV has over 9 million subscribers, making it the largest internet TV provider, while Hulu has 4.3 million [3] - Disney is reportedly losing around $30 million in revenue per week during the outage, which translates to a 2-cent drop in adjusted earnings per share for Disney [5][8] Group 3: Historical Context - Disney has experienced similar disputes in the past, with previous conflicts typically resolved within a week or two [6][7] - The current outage has lasted longer than previous disputes, raising concerns about the potential for further subscriber losses [8] Group 4: Company Statements - Disney accused YouTube TV of not negotiating in good faith and attempting to devalue Disney's content [11] - YouTube TV stated that it advocates for fair pricing to provide the best experience for its members [9] Group 5: Compensation for Subscribers - YouTube TV is offering a $20 credit to subscribers affected by the outage, with some receiving it automatically and others needing to claim it [15][19]