YouTube TV Negotiations with Disney: Will ABC and ESPN Channels Go Dark?

YouTube TV Negotiations with Disney: Will ABC and ESPN Channels Go Dark?

YouTube TV is currently in negotiations with Disney over the broadcast of channels such as ABC and ESPN. The deal is set to expire today, and Google's streaming service is looking to strike a shorter-term agreement with Disney due to its rapid growth. YouTube TV is seeking rates comparable to larger distributors like Comcast and Charter, which has caused some tension with programmers who believe they should be compensated accordingly for their content.

If an agreement is not reached, Disney-owned channels could go dark on YouTube TV, along with the on-demand library. YouTube TV is also working on a deal with TelevisaUnivision, which saw its channels removed from the platform in September. The streaming service proposed moving these channels to a more expensive specialty tier, but TelevisaUnivision disagrees with this approach.

Previous negotiations with Fox and NBC saw temporary extensions before reaching a long-term deal, so there is hope for a resolution with Disney. The outcome of the negotiations will be revealed later tonight, and it will be interesting to see how it unfolds.