More than two weeks after Disney pulled its channels from YouTube TV on Oct. 30, the companies are still negotiating. YouTube TV says Disney's proposed terms would raise prices and reduce choices; it offered impacted subscribers a $20 credit. Disney says it has made concessions and accuses Google of leveraging market power. On Nov. 13, Disney CFO Hugh Johnston warned talks "could go for a little while," while CEO Bob Iger said the offer aligns with deals made with other distributors.
YouTube TV–Disney Talks Stall: CFO Says Negotiations "Could Go for a Little While"
More than two weeks after Disney pulled its channels from YouTube TV on Oct. 30, the companies are still negotiating. YouTube TV says Disney's proposed terms would raise prices and reduce choices; it offered impacted subscribers a $20 credit. Disney says it has made concessions and accuses Google of leveraging market power. On Nov. 13, Disney CFO Hugh Johnston warned talks "could go for a little while," while CEO Bob Iger said the offer aligns with deals made with other distributors.
02:37 AM, 11/15/2025Economy
Negotiations between Disney and YouTube TV remain unresolved more than two weeks after channels were removed
More than two weeks after Disney-owned channels disappeared from YouTube TV, talks between the companies remain at an impasse. Disney’s programming — including ABC and major sports channels such as ESPN and the SEC Network — was pulled from the platform on Oct. 30 after the two sides failed to reach a new licensing agreement.
YouTube TV, owned by Google, says Disney proposed "costly economic terms that would raise prices on YouTube TV customers and give our customers fewer choices." In response to the disruption, YouTube TV issued affected subscribers a $20 service credit.
Disney has countered that Google is using its market position to squeeze out competition and has emphasized that it has offered concessions. In a Nov. 7 note to employees, Disney said it proposed terms that would "cost less overall than the terms of our recently expired license."
On Nov. 13, Disney CFO Hugh Johnston warned investors that negotiations "could go for a little while." Disney CEO Bob Iger added that the company’s offer is "commensurate with deals that we've already struck" with other distributors and stressed the importance of securing a deal that reflects the value Disney provides.
USA TODAY has reached out to YouTube TV for further comment. For now, subscribers remain unable to watch live Disney-owned sports and entertainment channels through the service.
Key timeline
- Oct. 23: YouTube TV warned subscribers that Disney content could be removed if a new agreement wasn't reached by 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 30.
- Oct. 30: Disney channels were removed from YouTube TV.
- Nov. 3: Google declined Disney's request to restore channels temporarily for Election Day.
- Nov. 7: Disney executives told staff they would enter "another sports-packed weekend" without programming on YouTube TV.
- Nov. 9: YouTube TV issued a $20 credit to subscribers for the disruption.
- Nov. 13: Disney CFO Hugh Johnston said talks "could go for a little while."
Channels currently unavailable on YouTube TV (per Google)
- 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 Español, Nat Geo Mundo
The dispute has paused access to live sports and many popular entertainment channels for YouTube TV subscribers while both companies publicly trade accusations about pricing and market leverage. Negotiations remain ongoing, and no timeline for a resolution has been announced.
Reporter: Melina Khan, USA TODAY. Contact: melina.khan@usatoday.com.