Disney-owned channels are back on YouTube TV after a two-week absence. The two mega-corporations had reached an impasse in their carriage negotiations, and eventually their previous deal expired, leading to a showdown.
This isn’t the first time YouTube — or the cable companies that provide similar distribution services for networks — had a blackout due to negotiations, but given the popularity of Disney and ESPN, pressure was on both companies to make a deal.
Last Sunday, after pressure from consumers started to mount, YouTube sent an email to subscribers offering a $20 credit to make up for the lost programming. The credit codes have not yet been issued.
“The Walt Disney Company announced a multi-year distribution agreement with YouTube TV that delivers Disney’s marquee sports, news and entertainment programming – along with greater choice and value for their customers,” Disney said in a statement yesterday. “As part of the new deal, Disney’s full suite of networks and stations – including ESPN and ABC – have already begun to be restored to YouTube TV subscribers.”
“We’re happy to share that we’ve reached a deal with Disney to bring their content back to YouTube TV,” YouTube told subscribers in an email. “You now have access to Disney channels, including ABC and ESPN, and any recordings that were previously in your Library. Your personal preferences and recommendations are just as you left them.”
Earlier this week during a stockholder meeting, Disney chief Robert Iger had taken a hard line, saying that Disney was prepared to let the outage go on for a while.
“The deal that we have proposed is equal to or better than what other large distributors have already agreed to,” Iger said on an earnings call. “We’re not trying to really break any new ground.”
He added, “While we’ve been working tirelessly to close this deal and restore our channels to the platform, it’s also imperative that we make sure that we agree to a deal that reflects the value that we deliver.”
