Disney and YouTube TV have reached a carriage agreement, ending a pitched battle that dragged on for 15 days, frustrating consumers and fascinating the media business. Included in the multi-year pact are carriage of ABC and ESPN, a portfolio of other networks. The Unlimited tier of ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer streaming outlet will also be included at no extra charge for YouTube TV’s 10 million subscribers. The “duo bundle” of Disney+ and Hulu will also be made available in “select YouTube offerings,” the ...

Core Viewpoint - The Walt Disney Co. and Google are engaged in a carriage dispute that has led to the blackout of Disney's networks on YouTube TV, affecting access to popular channels like ESPN and ABC [2][3]. Group 1: Dispute Details - Disney notified viewers on October 23 about the potential removal of its networks from YouTube TV due to failed negotiations [3]. - The dispute centers around pricing, with Disney seeking rate increases that Google is unwilling to accept [4]. - YouTube TV began removing Disney's networks shortly before the expiration of the previous carriage deal [3]. Group 2: Company Responses - Google accused Disney of using the threat of a blackout as a negotiating tactic to impose higher prices on customers [7]. - Disney countered by claiming that Google is leveraging its market dominance to undermine industry-standard terms [8]. - A Disney spokesperson emphasized the value of their channels and criticized Google for not paying fair rates [9]. Group 3: Impact on Subscribers - The blackout affects numerous channels, including ESPN, ABC, and various Disney networks, which are crucial for sports and entertainment viewers [11]. - Industry experts noted that such disputes primarily harm consumers, leading to potential cancellations and shifts to other services like ESPN Unlimited or the Disney Bundle [14][15]. - YouTube TV is a significant player in the market with around 10 million subscribers, giving it substantial leverage in negotiations [15].