YouTube TV subscribers are about to lose ESPN, ABC, and more channels if the live TV service and Disney can’t reach an agreement soon.
As YouTube TV has grown in popularity, the service routinely finds itself on the verge of losing popular channels due to a seemingly never-ending stream of contract disputes. In 2021, for example, YouTube TV almost lost 14 channels amid a contract dispute with NBCUniversal. This scenario played out again earlier this month, with YouTube TV and NBCUniversal striking a deal at the 11th hour. More recently, YouTube TV finds itself in the midst of another contract dispute, this time with Disney. As a result, there’s a chance that YouTube TV subscribers might lose access to ESPN and ABC.
« This is the latest example of Google exploiting its position at the expense of its own customers », a Disney spokesperson said in a statement to Variety. « We invest significantly in our content and expect our partners to pay fair rates that recognize that value.
