YouTube TV Subscribers Can't Watch ABC, ESPN & More
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YouTube would like to restore ABC and ESPN while the two companies negotiate, saying, "We propose immediately restoring the Disney channels that our customers watch: ABC and the ESPN networks, while we continue to negotiate. Those are the channels that people want."
Here’s what we know about YouTube losing its Disney-owned TV channels and a list of the channels that are affected.
Disney says YouTube TV is not paying enough to stream its channels. YouTube TV, owned by Google, has the most subscribers of all other internet TV providers, more than 9 million. Hulu, owned by Disney, is second with 4.3 million subscribers through its Hulu + Live TV offering.
Discussions on Reddit indicate that many YouTube TV users are switching to or considering a move to DirecTV following the Disney debacle.
YouTube TV subscribers may not get access to "Monday Night Football" in Week 9 thanks to a contract dispute with Disney.
YouTube TV is reportedly offering some subscribers a $10 monthly credit for six months as compensation for the loss of Disney channels.
There are more than 20 channels missing from YouTube TV, which subscribers were accustomed to having at their fingertips. Yes, YouTube TV still offers a wide range of channels, but the absence of Disney options significantly weakens the lineup when compared to the best live TV streaming services.
Channels owned by The Walt Disney Co., including ABC, ESPN, Disney Channel, Freeform and others will be pulled from the Google-owned pay-TV service at midnight ET after the two sides failed to come to terms on a new carriage agreement ahead of a midnight deadline.
Disney and YouTube TV are stuck in a stalemate. ESPN personalities are appealing to YouTube TV customers, but their messages might not be resonating.
New subscribers (and those who cancelled their membership a month or more ago) can get Hulu + Live TV for $64.99/month for the first three months of the Basic plan (regular price of $89.99/month after that). Act now, as this deal is only around until November 18th!