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Disney-YouTube TV Blackout Enters Third Week With CEO-Level Talks Underway

Disney frames its proposal as comparable to other distributors, signaling readiness for a prolonged negotiation.

Overview

  • Reports describe renewed momentum after Bob Iger and Sundar Pichai became more involved, though no agreement has been announced.
  • Pricing for ABC remains a major sticking point, with fees for FX, Freeform and National Geographic also in dispute; some reports say ESPN pricing is largely aligned, though others dispute that.
  • Disney executives told investors they are prepared to let talks run, even as analysts estimate losses of roughly $4.3 million per day from forgone distribution and advertising.
  • YouTube TV, which serves about 10 million subscribers, is offering a one-time $20 credit that requires manual redemption while customers miss events including two Monday Night Football games and two college football Saturdays.
  • Contract mechanics are central to the fight, with YouTube TV seeking size-based most-favored-nation protections tied to its growth and Disney resisting terms that could reset rates across the industry.