Overview
- Disney-owned networks, including ESPN and ABC, returned to YouTube TV after a roughly two-week outage under a new multi-year distribution agreement.
- ESPN’s direct-to-consumer features at the ESPN Unlimited tier will be integrated natively into the YouTube TV app, eliminating the need to switch to the ESPN app for that content.
- The deal explicitly permits certain Disney networks to be offered in genre-specific bundles on YouTube TV, signaling future skinny package options.
- YouTube TV is granting affected subscribers a one-time $20 credit that must be claimed by December 9, and some former subscribers are receiving targeted $60 first-month return offers.
- Disney’s latest annual report cautions that additional distribution negotiations in fiscal 2026 could result in temporary or longer service blackouts.