Disney channels go dark on YouTube TV after media giants fail to resolve carriage dispute

Disney’s channels have officially gone dark on YouTube TV after the two companies failed to reach a new carriage agreement before Thursday’s midnight deadline.

The blackout means YouTube TV subscribers can no longer access programming from major Disney-owned networks, including ESPN, ABC, FX, Freeform, National Geographic and Disney Channel.

Both companies say negotiations are ongoing, but neither has given a timeline for when the channels might return.

In a statement to CNN, Disney accused YouTube TV of refusing to pay “fair rates” for its networks — particularly ESPN — and argued that subscribers are losing access to premium live sports content like NFL, NBA and top college football games.

Google countered that Disney’s demands would force YouTube TV to raise prices and reduce customer choice. The company said the blackout “harms our subscribers while benefiting Disney’s competing live TV offerings, including Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.”

Subscribers had been warned for days, with notices from both sides signaling that a deadlock was likely.

At its core, the dispute comes down to money: Disney wants higher carriage fees to reflect the value of its channels, while YouTube says the increases are unreasonable.

This clash is the latest in a growing list for YouTube TV this year. Although the service recently secured last-minute deals with Paramount, Fox and NBCUniversal, a previous standoff with Televisa Univision led to an actual blackout — one that even drew public comments from former President Donald Trump.