Core Points - Disney and YouTube TV have finalized a multi-year carriage agreement, ending a 15-day blackout that affected consumers and drew media attention [1][5] - The agreement includes the carriage of ABC, ESPN, and other networks, as well as access to ESPN's new direct-to-consumer streaming service for YouTube TV's 10 million subscribers at no extra charge [2][5] - The deal also features a "duo bundle" of Disney+ and Hulu available in select YouTube offerings, along with genre-specific packages [2] Industry Implications - The negotiations highlighted the complexities of the streaming era, particularly around pricing and content ingestion, which were key sticking points [3] - The new agreement allows for content from ESPN Unlimited to be integrated into the YouTube TV user experience, enhancing subscriber convenience [4] - The restoration of Disney's programming is timely, coinciding with significant sporting events, and underscores YouTube TV's growth as a leading U.S. pay-TV provider since its launch in 2017 [5][6]
Disney And YouTube TV Reach Carriage Deal, Ending 15-Day Standoff