Short answer: Disney and YouTube TV are in a carriage-fee dispute and, as of the latest public updates, Disney channels (including ABC and ESPN) remain unavailable on YouTube TV. Negotiations have continued with sporadic public statements and interim proposals, but a final settlement had not been announced yet as of the most recent reports. Context and timeline
- Late October 2025: Disney pulled ABC, ESPN and other Disney-owned channels from YouTube TV after contract talks stalled. This created a blackout for subscribers on that platform. The dispute centered on licensing fees and terms Google/YouTube TV proposed, which Disney characterized as unfavorable. The blackout affected major channels including ESPN and ABC, impacting live sports and local/ national news coverage. This aligns with multiple outlets reporting the removal of Disney channels from YouTube TV during the critical negotiation window. [news reports from late Oct 2025]
- Early November 2025: Reports indicate YouTube TV proposed restoring ABC and ESPN temporarily for Election Day and then continuing negotiations, signaling a willingness to accommodate public-interest coverage while seeking a longer-term deal. Disney reportedly asked for ABC to be restored for Election Day, while YouTube TV suggested a limited, temporary return to minimize confusion. The broader status remained unresolved as negotiations continued.
- Late October to early November 2025: Independent trade coverage noted a separate settlement between Disney and YouTube regarding an executive-recruitment dispute (not directly about channel carriage), which suggests the two companies are actively negotiating on multiple fronts. This does not resolve the core distribution deal for Disney channels on YouTube TV but indicates ongoing legal/negotiation activity.
What to expect going forward
- The parties typically renegotiate terms around channel carriage fees, distribution costs, and content controls. A final settlement would likely restore Disney channels on YouTube TV, potentially with transitional terms (temporary restorations for special events, trial periods, or public-interest coverage) and a longer-term renewal thereafter. Public updates suggest renewed talks and the possibility of a deal in the near term, but no definitive agreement has been publicly disclosed in the latest reports.
If you’d like, I can pull the most current updates and summarize any new statements or proposed terms from Disney, YouTube TV, or major media coverage.
