Overview
- Disney executives told employees they expect another sports-heavy weekend without a deal, keeping ESPN and ABC off YouTube TV.
- YouTube TV published an email proposing to immediately restore ABC and the ESPN networks while negotiations continue, but Disney has not agreed.
- Disney says it offered YouTube TV a package that would cost less overall than the expired license and accuses Google of seeking below‑market, preferential terms.
- YouTube counters that Disney is misrepresenting facts and asking for higher rates than deals with Charter and DirecTV, saying it is ready to reach a fair agreement.
- Consumer fallout is mounting, with a survey finding about 24% plan to cancel if ESPN stays dark, YouTube preparing a one‑time $20 credit if the outage is prolonged, viewers directed to alternatives like Fubo, DirecTV and Sling, and reports citing millions in daily lost fees and ratings declines.