Megan Turner
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And just like that, let us all welcome back ESPN and Disney-owned channels to YouTube TV.
After a brief loss of over a dozen Disney-owned channels — including ESPN and your local ABC station — on YouTube TV, the company announced they have reached an agreement with Disney and started restoring access to the content that went dark.
“We’re happy to announce that we’ve reached a deal with Disney and have already started to restore access to channels like ESPN and FX, and Disney recordings that were previously in your Library,” YouTube TV tweeted. “Your local ABC station will also be turning on throughout the day.”
YouTube said subscribers’ prices will revert to $64.99, but that all impacted members will still receive a one-time $15 discount.
Early Friday morning, YouTube said it “held good faith negotiations with Disney for several months” but was “unable to reach an equitable agreement before our existing one expired.”
OutKick previously reported the Disney-owned channels that were listed as “no longer available on YouTube TV” but have now been restored:
- Your local ABC channel
- ABC News Live
- Disney Channel
- Disney Junior
- Disney XD
- Freeform
- FX
- FXX
- FXM
- National Geographic
- National Geographic Wild
- ESPN
- ESPN2
- ESPN3 (by authentication to the ESPN app)
- ESPNU
- ESPNEWS
- SEC Network
- ACC Network
The Verge reported that Disney said in a statement late Friday that after ongoing negotiations with YouTube TV, “they have declined to reach a fair deal with us based on market terms and conditions.” The outlet reported that a positive resolution to the service loss seemed likely.
Check back with OutKick for updates.
Follow Meg Turner on Twitter @Megnturner_ and Instagram @Megnturner.
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I was hoping they wouldn’t have reached a deal so I could dump cable & get YTTV for $50 bucks. I never watch ESPN anyway, and can find an overseas stream for any big games if I need it. Then I remembered YTTV sponsored the NBA during their 2020 woke bubble fest. Anyone happy with Hulu Live?
Just my two cents, but I feel like Hulu Live’s interface / guide is garbage. My family signed up for Fubo this past weekend and feel like it’s nearly on par with YTTV. We may very well keep it.