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Disney-YouTube TV Contract Dispute Drags On Despite CEO's Wish for a 'Timely' Resolution
CNETยท 2025-11-13 16:38
Core Viewpoint - The ongoing dispute between Disney and YouTube TV over carriage fees has led to the removal of Disney's channels from the platform, resulting in significant revenue losses for Disney and subscriber cancellations for YouTube TV [1][2][4]. Group 1: Dispute Overview - Disney's channels, including ABC and ESPN, were removed from YouTube TV on October 30, with no clear resolution timeline [1][2]. - The disagreement centers around the carriage fee that YouTube TV pays Disney, with Disney asserting that YouTube TV is not paying enough [3][9]. - Disney's CEO Bob Iger emphasized the need for a deal that reflects the value Disney delivers, indicating that negotiations are ongoing [2][3]. Group 2: Financial Impact - Disney is estimated to be losing $30 million in revenue per week due to the outage, which translates to a 2-cent drop in adjusted earnings per share for each week the channels remain unavailable [5][8]. - A survey indicated that 24% of YouTube TV subscribers have canceled or plan to cancel their subscriptions due to the lack of core content [4]. Group 3: Historical Context and Negotiation Dynamics - Disney has faced similar disputes in the past, with previous conflicts typically resolved within a week or two, although the current situation with YouTube TV may take longer due to Google's stronger bargaining position [6][7]. - The last major outage on YouTube TV lasted two days, while the current blackout has already extended beyond that duration [8]. Group 4: Subscriber Reactions and Alternatives - YouTube TV has offered a $20 credit to subscribers affected by the outage, with some subscribers receiving it automatically [17][18]. - Alternatives for viewers to access Disney content during the outage include subscribing to other services like Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, or using an aerial TV antenna for local broadcasts [12][13].