Disney Channels Go Dark On YouTube TV After Carriage Talks Fail

Disney-owned networks, including ABC, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD, have gone dark on YouTube TV after the two companies were unable to reach a new carriage agreement before their contract expired late Thursday night.

The blackout will impact around 10 million YouTube TV subscribers nationwide. In addition to losing live programming, users have also lost access to previously recorded content from Disney-owned networks, including loads of animated kids and family content.

According to insider reports, negotiations between Disney and Google, which owns YouTube TV, broke down over pricing and distribution terms. Disney is said to have argued that YouTube TV refused to pay fair market rates for its portfolio of channels, while YouTube TV accused Disney of using blackout threats to force a deal that would require raising prices on customers.

“They’re now following through on that threat,” YouTube TV said in a statement. “This decision directly harms our subscribers while benefiting their own live TV products, including Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.”

The platform went on to say it would not agree to terms that favor Disney’s own streaming products and promised subscribers a $20 credit if the blackout continues. Disney, meanwhile, pointed to YouTube’s size and market dominance, arguing that Google is attempting to undercut industry-standard terms.

The breakdown follows a series of high-profile distribution clashes between YouTube TV and major media companies over the past two years, including Paramount, Fox, NBCUniversal, and Warner Bros. Discovery. This almost certainly won’t be the last.