Summary: Disney pulled its channels, including ESPN and ABC, from YouTube TV after the carriage agreement expired on Oct. 30. Negotiations have continued into a second week, with Disney saying it offered concessions and YouTube TV countering that Disney's terms would raise customer costs. YouTube TV has pledged a $20 credit if the outage lasts an "extended period," but has not defined that timeframe. The article also includes a separate feature on Cotino, Disney's new Storyliving community in Rancho Mirage.
When Will Disney Channels Return to YouTube TV? Latest on the Ongoing Contract Dispute
Summary: Disney pulled its channels, including ESPN and ABC, from YouTube TV after the carriage agreement expired on Oct. 30. Negotiations have continued into a second week, with Disney saying it offered concessions and YouTube TV countering that Disney's terms would raise customer costs. YouTube TV has pledged a $20 credit if the outage lasts an "extended period," but has not defined that timeframe. The article also includes a separate feature on Cotino, Disney's new Storyliving community in Rancho Mirage.
05:26, 08.11.2025Technology
Disney channels remain off YouTube TV as negotiations continue
Disney-owned networks, including ESPN and ABC, remain unavailable on YouTube TV after the two companies failed to reach a new carriage agreement before the previous deal expired on Oct. 30. The blackout has passed the one-week mark with no clear timeline for resolution.
On Nov. 7 Disney executives told staff the company is "headed into another sports-packed weekend" without its programming on YouTube TV. Disney also said it offered concessions in the talks, including a proposal that "would cost less overall than the terms of our recently expired license."
Google-owned YouTube TV has responded that Disney proposed "costly economic terms that would raise prices on YouTube TV customers and give our customers fewer choices." YouTube TV says it has been negotiating "in good faith to negotiate a deal with Disney that pays them fairly for their content on YouTube TV."
Channels currently unavailable
Per Google, the Disney channels off YouTube TV include:
- ABC
- ABC News Live
- ACC Network
- Disney Channel
- Disney Junior
- Disney XD
- ESPN
- ESPNews
- ESPN2
- ESPNU
- Freeform
- FX
- FXM
- FXX
- Localish
- Nat Geo
- Nat Geo Wild
- SEC Network
- Spanish-language plan: ESPN Deportes, Baby TV Espanol, Nat Geo Mundo
Context: Why this matters
This is the third major carriage dispute involving YouTube TV in two months. In late August Google and Fox reached an updated agreement that renewed Fox's networks, and Google and NBCUniversal resolved a contract standoff in early October. Unlike those negotiations — where temporary extensions preserved programming while a long-term deal was negotiated — the dispute with Disney has led to a complete removal of Disney content from YouTube TV for more than a week.
Blackouts typically arise from disagreement over carriage fees and contract terms that govern how linear and streaming channels are distributed. When channels are removed, subscribers lose access to live sports and scheduled programming while distributors risk cancellations and reputational damage.
What subscribers should know
YouTube TV confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) on Nov. 7 that it is "continuing to negotiate with Disney in good faith" but offered no timeline for a resolution. To appease subscribers, YouTube TV has pledged a $20 credit if Disney channels remain unavailable for an "extended period of time," though the company has not defined what qualifies as "extended." A YouTube TV spokesperson, Jess Gibby, told USA TODAY the credit is not yet active and that subscribers will receive an email when it becomes available.
For now, viewers who rely on ESPN, ABC or other affected channels will need to find alternate access for live events and scheduled programming until the two companies reach an agreement.
Cotino: A separate Storyliving by Disney feature
Separately, Disney has opened Cotino, the first Storyliving by Disney community in Rancho Mirage, California. The development blends mid-century modern residential design with a membership-based Artisan Club that showcases more overt Disney touches, including the Parr House — a rentable, Incredibles 2–inspired property with Disney Imagineering details and themed bedrooms.
Model homes from builders such as Shea Homes, Woodbridge Pacific Group and Davidson Communities emphasize open layouts, indoor-outdoor living, long kitchen islands and en-suite bedrooms. Cotino's Artisan Club offers curated experiences, displays of Walt Disney Archives artifacts related to the region, a beachside bar called Plot Twist, local artwork with Hidden Mickeys, and a mix of Disney-themed and non-Disney activities for members.
Bottom line
The standoff between Disney and YouTube TV highlights growing tensions between content owners and distribution platforms as live TV moves online. Negotiations can be resolved quickly or drag on depending on concessions and business priorities; for now, subscribers are left waiting while both sides continue to negotiate.
Reporter: Melina Khan, USA TODAY. Contributing: Greta Cross, USA TODAY.