There is potential renewed momentum on a deal between YouTube TV and Disney that could restore ESPN to the platform’s subscribers.
However, the question of how much to pay for Disney’s ancillary non-sports networks, such as Freeform, FX and National Geographic, remains an obstacle, according to sources briefed on the conversations between the two media giants.
ESPN, ABC and all of Disney’s channels have been dark to the 10 million YouTube TV subscribers since Oct. 30, preventing viewers from accessing “Monday Night Football” and the network’s college football programming for two weeks. Disney has its quarterly earnings scheduled for Thursday morning, which is a potential impetus for a deal to be completed.
Disney/ESPN and YouTube TV declined to comment.
Disney negotiates all of its carriage agreements as a bundle package combining ESPN’s slate of networks, its ABC-owned affiliates, Disney Channel, FX and Freeform. Distributors have complained that Disney has been able to foist these extra channels on them, while Disney counters that they are all discounted as part of a bundle.
Either way, YouTube TV has shown little interest in doling out money for the programming that fewer people watch, with kids’ programming and drama increasingly moving to streaming services. Disney+, the company’s own direct-to-consumer product, offers a large array of kids’ programming.
In a sign that the negotiations are becoming more serious, sources briefed on the talks indicate that Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO, and Disney CEO Bob Iger have become more involved. Disney has been led by its entertainment co-chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, along with ESPN chair Jimmy Pitaro.
YouTube TV’s global head of media and sports, Justin Connolly, has been forced to recuse himself from the negotiations. Connolly switched sides earlier this year, leaving Disney for YouTube TV, which resulted in lawsuits. Connolly, who was making $6 million a year, was finally allowed to break his Disney deal to join YouTube TV, but it was ruled he must sit out the talks.
This past Sunday, YouTube TV sent out emails to customers, informing them they could click a button to redeem a $20 credit for being without ESPN and the Disney channels for more than a week.
On Monday, FCC chairman Brendan Carr, on his X account, tweeted, “Google and Disney need to get a deal done and end this blackout. People should have the right to watch the programming they paid for — including football. Get it done!”
No deal is complete, but there may be renewed momentum to finish the job.
